SOVIET EXPORTS TO WESTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T01049A000300150001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 6, 2000
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 16, 1951
• Content Type: MEMO

Refere
Approved For Release 2000/05/12 : CIA-RDP79T01049A099300150001-1
SECRET
Chic
P- a3
pe/
Co ction and Dissemination Branch, 0614- 16 August1951
ORR/S/IF
Soviet Exports to Weste
25X1A
peen Countries
1. Soviet exports to Western Europe have always consisted almost
entirely of raw materials and agricultural products, and no change in
this pattern is in prospect. No manufactured goods are "featured",
and no active sales or promotional campaigns are conducted to sell such
items in Western European markets. The closest approach is in the case
of automobiles. In 1950, some were exported to Belgium, Finland, and
Sweden. However, the number was small, and they were apparently intended
primarily for propaganda and publicity purposes. No concerted attempt
has been made to build up markets in Western Europe.
2. Official Western European trade statistics for 1950 show
imports of manufactured goods from the USSR as follows: Finland, 03.3
million; Sweden, $591,000; Belgium, 0138,000; France, $115,000; Italy,
$21,000, and Norway, 320,000. Such items accounted for only Naproximately
$4
million, out of total Soviet Exports to these countries, of $77 million,
or only 5.3%. Exports to Denmark the Netherlands, and the UK, amounted
to 07 million, $2 million, and $96 million respectively, but exports of
manufactured goods were negligible if not nonexistent.
3. Soviet manufactured exports did not account for all of the
14 million worth of such goods exported by the USSR. Out of 33.3 million
worth of manufactured goods exported to Finland, less than41.5 million, or
approximately 114%) were actually of Soviet origin, the balance coming
almost entirely from East Germany. While a similar breakdown is not
available for the other countries, and the percentage may 11011 be smaller,
it is believed that a substantial part of the manufactures exported to
other countries were also of east German origin.
4. The principal manufactured imports from the USSR in 1950 reported
by the countries listed in paragraph two more as followss automotive
vehicles, etc'. (principally passenger automobiles but also inoluding motor-
cycles and bicycles), $2.1 million; non-olectrical machinery, $955,000;
precision instruments and tools, $252,000; iron and steel marufacturess
$201,000; floor or wall tiles, ;163,000, and motion pictures and films,
3108,000. Figures on volume are not published by all countries, and a
list of those Which are available would entail a disproportionately long
tabulation, including items valued at $100 or lees.
atm
Approved For Release 2000/05/12 : CIA-RD1'79T01049A000300150001-1
Approved For Release 2000/053MENDP79T01049A0W00150001-1
2 a.
5. Through time-consuming research in the Library and the
Industrial Register, it would be possible to list the buyers of many
of these items. Information on the date that an item was first TIArketed
by the USSR, the name of the inventor (if he was a Soviet), etc., would
be more difficult to obtain ? except perhaps-IF such a case as the
Lioscovitch car, ithich has been given publicity by the USSR, and the de-
tails of which are sufficiently blown. A list of engineers concerned
with a product would also be difficult to obtain ? and, as can be seen
from the t7ipes of prochictc involved would not apply in mart, cases.
6. table showing Soviet exports of manufactured goods to Testern
Europe in 1950 by categories is attached.
Approved For Release 2000/05/12S.MX79T01049A000300150001-1
Or LW ACM= ODOM
1950
2 Motion Pictures., Films
a.
gl Books; Other Printed
Matter
6Floor or Wa13 Tiles
(i)
K.) Iron and Steel Mfrs.
0
0
0
0
th
fi
e Metal Me.
cs; Glassware
on-electrical Mach.
.914
Electrical Machinery
-o
HI Precision Instruments
0
Automotive Vehicles and Party;
Motorcycles Bicycleel.etc. 92 730
0
0
0
0
0AL 3,330
3
21
12
15
/2
87
26
60
163
55
163
183
159
201
15
15
30
2
2
875
291
20
50
955
1
22
185
160
63
252
14,135$
0
0
0
*Net available Sor other countries.
475 2,422
4,215
l?-W0091?00dtv;(61701?016/
0
A
roved ForsaVease Vag CIA-RDP79T
1 P
25X1A
25X1A
25X1A
25X1A
MEMORANDUM FOR: CHIEF, OFFICE OF RESEARCH
SUBJECT
REFERENCE
r
,rA.op v,&., et_
c-0-,7:14.4:11.erta4
12 July 1951 4DA.....?
Cwa ? 't-
-.17bc,fv-tat:n.-..2 so
AND REPORTS
25X1A
Soviet Exports to Western European Countries
25X1A?
25X1A
1. Pursuant to the conversation between
of this office, it is requested that we be supp led?
the following information:
25X1A a. What manufactured goods are the Soviets featuring
in their exports to Western European countries?
b. 'Jhat is the yearly volume and value of such exports?
25X1A
CvVstoin, 0.4,t
25X1A
111111114.10- LL,LI LA.brn,WV.4
L.,.1A-Ct c,-1Aa
c. Who are the principal buyers (name, address, and, if
possible, volume purchased)?
d. Background on products in question to include:
(1) date first marketed
(2) inventor
(3) engineers concerned with product
e. Any information relative to Soviet sales methods and
promotional activities.
2. Western Europe, as mentioned here, includes Finland and
excludes Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
3. It would be appreciated if information on this request could
be supplied by August 15, 1951:
4' Please refer any questions to on ay,tension 3215.
25X1A
SKRETi
Approved For Release 2000/05/12 : CIA-RDP79T01049A000300150001-1
25X1A