Business news

MOSOCW, 16 March (BelTA) – Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast is open for Belarusian partners and investors. The areas for joint work are many, Governor Nikolai Tsukanov said when speaking at a meeting of the Belarusian-Russian council for long-term cooperation of Kaliningrad Oblast with oblasts and administration bodies of Belarus in Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, BelTA learned from the press service of the regional government.

Nikolai Tsukanov noted that all-round cooperation with Belarus has been developing. Yet there was a decrease in trade which amounted to $210 million last year. “This was due to the unfavorable economic situation in the world. However, we have the reserves to increase the annual bilateral trade by 50%,” the Governor stressed.

Speaking about the areas of cooperation, Nikolai Tsukanov recalled that the region is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup 2018 and is building a stadium. Specialists from Belarus are taking part in this project. Ahead of this sport event the region will also build roads and bridges, tourist infrastructure. We are working on the construction of a seaport for cruise ships in Pionersky, he noted.

Belarusian products are popular in the region. They are sold in specialty stores.

“We need to restore the trade which was $300 million. There are barriers but they are all surmountable,” co-chairman of the council, Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusy said. He suggested considering the participation of design and construction organizations of Belarus in Kaliningrad tenders on various projects.

Mikhail Rusy said Belarus is ready to take part in the projects to build an advanced oncology center, an ice arena and houses in Kaliningrad Oblast. Belarusian technology and planting stocks are used in the development of industrial gardens in the region. Over the past two years Kaliningrad Oblast has planted more than 150,000 Belarusian seedlings of fruit trees.

Nikolai Tsukanov and Mikhail Rusy noted that cooperation will be continued in agriculture, construction and other sectors.

The Belarusian delegation includes the heads of ministries and departments, representatives of Grodno, Gomel and Brest Oblasts and large enterprises.