Belarus' promising areas of cooperation with Russia's Tambov Oblast named

Belarus and Russia's Tambov Oblast have achieved record-high results in mutual trade, but bilateral cooperation should be raised to an even higher level, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Tambov Oblast Governor Maxim Yegorov in Minsk on 29 August, BelTA has learned.

“You have visited Belarus many times and I am absolutely sure that you know our country very well. Therefore, I suggest discussing the main areas of interaction, looking into the areas where we are underperforming and, most importantly, deciding what we need to do further,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the start of the meeting.

In 2022, Belarus and Tambov Oblast achieved record-high results in mutual trade since 2017, reaching $180 million (an increase of almost 80%). However, the president stressed that these figures were still small even by the standards of a single region and cooperation should be raised to a higher level.

On supplies of Belarusian machinery

Among the most promising areas the head of state named supplies of Belarusian trucks, municipal, road-building machinery and elevator equipment. “We can produce everything concerning machinery and meet the needs of your region. We are ready to supply passenger vehicles, including gas-fueled buses, trolleybuses and electric buses with the required characteristics,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The Tambov Oblast delegation has already visited MTZ and MAZ to get familiar with the products of these enterprises. Visits will be also organized to Belkommunmash and Amkodor.

“We can also supply you with tractors, harvesters, other machinery in the volumes you need,” the president said.

On production cooperation

According to the head of state, time makes it necessary to move more actively from simple commodity exchange to the development of production cooperation, to concentrate efforts on import substitution. This will ensure technological independence and security, he emphasized.

“According to the information I have, after meeting with our ambassador to Russia in April this year, you offered us the production areas of the joint stock company Tambovspetsmash for the implementation of joint cooperation projects. I would like you to tell us what kind of equipment you would like to produce together with us, what results have already been achieved, what needs to be done, and what we will do next. Are there any problems that require solutions at my level?” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

On cooperation in the agro-industrial complex

Belarus is also ready to provide practical assistance in the construction of grain and vegetable storages, supplies of equipment for dairy farms. “I know that the region is very developed in this respect, and you pay a lot of attention to it. Our proposals have been sent to you. If you are ready, we would like you to offer us counter steps and give us an answer whether we are going to work in this direction. It will be very useful to exchange experience in modern agricultural technologies and processing of agricultural products, breeding and pedigree work, training of qualified personnel for the agro-industrial complex,” the president said.

On construction and water treatment

The head of state touched upon the issues that need to be resolved. According to him, there is some slowdown in cooperation in construction. This topic is very important for the population, as it directly affects the quality of life, Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“If you need professional support of our builders, you can count on us,” the Belarusian leader said. “We are also ready to intensify joint work on your project Clean Water with the use of modern technologies and equipment for water treatment, water disposal.”

On humanitarian cooperation

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, he has outlined only the main areas of cooperation. This is by no means a complete list of issues that may be of interest to both Tambov Oblast and Belarus.

“While dealing with economic issues, we should not forget about student and school exchanges, healthcare, science, education, culture, and tourism – things that are called the humanitarian sector. These are the very links that help us get to know each other better. They are especially important for the education of our youth - the most important issue both in Russia and in our country. We are ready to discuss any cooperation issues with you. The decisions that we are to take today will be fulfilled in full today,” the president said.

Written by belta.by