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Belarus interested in increasing trade with Russia’s Rostov Oblast
MINSK, 18 November (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in increasing the volume of foreign trade with Russia’s Rostov Oblast. First Deputy Chairman of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee Yuri Valevaty made the statement at a session of the working group on cooperation between Belarus and Rostov Oblast, BelTA has learned.
Yuri Valevaty noted that Belarusian-Russian strategic partnership in the age of global challenges is becoming particularly valuable. “The tight connection between our nations is determined first and foremost not only by the unity of geographic, cultural space, by common traditions, by the lack of a language barrier, but also without a doubt by the unity of our ideologies and views on international events and on the processes going on around us and on challenges,” he said.
Yuri Valevaty drew close attention to cooperation between regions. “Grodno Oblast traditionally builds tight and friendly mutual relations with all the regions of Russia regardless of their geographical location. On the whole, Russia is a key trade partner for Grodno Oblast. Export and import operations are carried out with 75 regions of Russia. The oblast’s economy contains all the economy branches that are historically geared towards export to the Russian Federation,” the first deputy head of the Grodno Oblast administration added.
He expressed interest in deliveries of colza oilseeds to the Belarusian market as well as sunflower oilseeds, tinned vegetables, winemaking products made specifically in Rostov Oblast. “There is no doubt that it is not the limit. We believe a reserve is available for increasing the volume of mutual trade and for further advancement of mutually beneficial cooperation. I confirm the interest and the readiness to continue working within the framework of the developed action plan on promoting cooperation between Belarus and Rostov Oblast in 2026-2028,” Yuri Valevaty remarked.
Governor of Russia’s Rostov Oblast Yury Slyusar stressed that relations between Belarus and Rostov Oblast boast stability, mutual trust, and the commitment to produce results. “Together we develop the manufacturing sector, agriculture, culture, tourism, and public initiatives. And the figures vividly confirm it. In 2024 foreign trade turnover rose by 5.4%, with export from Rostov Oblast up by 23.8%. Positive dynamics has been preserved this year, the figures have gone up. I am glad to mention an expansion of the presence of Belarusian business in Rostov Oblast,” he said.
The opening of a multibrand trade and aftersales service center by the Belarusian automobile engineering company MAZ in Rostov-upon-Don in late November will be a milestone event. “For us it is an opportunity to not only expand cooperation in manufacturing but also to address a series of pressing social and utilities industry problems. The bus fleet we will need to replace within the next five years is close to 1,000 units. And the presence of the technical center of Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) with aftersales service as an option, with a warehouse of spare parts, with the necessary personnel, with the ability to keep vehicles in working order is a serious competitive advantage. Then there are also the support measures that the Belarusian government offers to bus manufacturers. It is also an economic argument for us. I hope it will allow making the choice in favor of Minsk Automobile Plant products,” he added.
Yesterday the Rostov Oblast delegation visited OAO MAZ, the managing company of the holding company BelavtoMAZ. Yury Slyusar shared his impressions of the visit. “High manufacturing standards, a competitive model range. It is obvious that the fact that these products are manufactured in large batches gives a certain advantage from the point of view of buying them. While dealerships are probably the part of the infrastructure that will also enable operation at a high technical level,” the head of the Russian region noted.
Cooperation has also been established between a number of industrial enterprises in the sphere of small and medium business. Regular exchange of business missions is in progress. “I hope the practice will continue,” Yury Slyusar expressed interest.
The session took place within the framework of a working visit of Governor of Russia’s Rostov Oblast Yury Slyusar to Belarus. Apart from that, an action plan on advancing cooperation between Belarus and Rostov Oblast in 2026-2028 is supposed to be signed.
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