Business news

MINSK, 11 August (BelTA) - Belarus would like to participate in the import substitution programs running in Tyumen Oblast of Russia, Belarus’ Energy Minister Vladimir Potupchik said as he met with Governor of Russia’s Tyumen Oblast Vladimir Yakushev, BelTA learned from the press service of the Russian Governor.

On 11 August the parties signed a plan of action to implement the agreement between the Governments of Tyumen Oblast and Belarus on cooperation in trade, economy, science and culture for 2016-2018.

“Tyumen Oblast appreciates the common history, joint achievements and ties with Belarus. Our region was one of the first Russian regions to have signed, in June 1992, an agreement on trade and economic cooperation with the Republic of Belarus. We have preserved a basis for bilateral economic agreements with Belarusian regions,” Vladimir Yakushev said after the signing ceremony.

Vladimir Potupchik said that among the Russian regions, with which Belarus has established trade and economic cooperation, Tyumen Oblast is among the leaders by the volume of trade. Last year, it amounted to almost $4.5 billion.

The Belarusian delegation is composed of representatives of the Industry Ministry, Belneftekhim Concern, Bellegprom Concern, large exporting enterprises who are interested in the further development of mutually beneficial ties. “We believe that the time has come to consider possible options for cooperation in the fields of energy, machine building, import substitution, the modernization of the agro-industrial complex, programs in the housing and utilities sector, and think of the ways to increase the supply of agricultural products and vehicles,” Vladimir Potupchik said.

The Minister also proposed to study the idea of building a Belarusian neighborhood in the region. “We would do it starting from design to delivery. In terms of quality it will be not worse than what the local developers offer on the market of Tyumen,” he said.

Vladimir Yakushev pointed out the importance of cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry with Belarus. “Tyumen Oblast is actively working to create this powerful cluster. In the near future we will think over the organization of deliveries of quality products to the friendly country and also the export of metallurgy, timber and petrochemical goods,” he said.

The parties also agreed to set up a working group on cooperation in trade, economy and science between Russia’s Tyumen Oblast and Belarus.