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Belarus, Russia urged to focus on industrial cooperation

MINSK, 28 July (BelTA) - In terms of economic cooperation between Perm Territory and Belarus, we need to rely primarily on industrial cooperation, Governor of Russia’s Perm Territory Dmitry Makhonin said at a meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk on 28 July, BelTA has learned.

"You are absolutely right when you say that today's economic challenges facing our countries require additional consolidation efforts from us," the head of the Russian region said, addressing the Belarusian leader. "Trade is good, but industrial cooperation is the basis we must rely on.”

He recalled that the agreement on cooperation in trade, economy, science, technology and humanitarian matters with Belarus has been in force for fix years. This time the delegation of Perm Territory, which is visiting Belarus, includes not only officials but also representatives of ten enterprises, the governor noted. "I believe that the most effective way for business is to work directly, and our job is at least not to interfere with them, but help where necessary. Of course, this is what we will do."

Speaking about the prospects for industrial cooperation, Dmitry Makhonin mentioned the construction sector. He said that Perm Territory is busy implementing projects to renovate housing stock and upgrade the housing and utilities sector. "We need to replace 1,700 elevators. We have been increasing the pace of housing construction for the third year in a row. We aim for 1.5 million square meters of housing, and this means an additional amount of elevators," he said. In this regard, the governor voiced a proposal to localize the production of some components for Belarusian elevators in Perm Territory, which will expand supplies to the Russian market as a whole. “We believe that today's economic realities are a window of opportunity. We are beginning to think differently and to pay more attention to each other, which is a right and good thing," the head of the region emphasized.

As BelTA has informed, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested stepping up industrial cooperation as he met with the governor of the Russian Perm Territory. The head of state pointed to a slight decrease in trade with Perm Territory and the need to take additional measures to boost it. “We should demonstrate to everyone that we can do without those who do not want to work with us, and we should also demonstrate that we can achieve a lot. Therefore, we are at your service both in terms of supplies and cooperation. We need to trade. Yet, the most reliable cooperation path is when we are intertwined with each other and our enterprises cooperate,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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