Business news

MINSK, 7 June (BelTA) – Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin thanked Belarusian agricultural companies for assistance with food supplies in the period of European sanctions. The Mayor made the relevant statement during the Moscow-Belarus Business Cooperation Forum on 7 June, BelTA has learned.

The event took place in the cultural and business center Moscow House in Minsk during the Moscow Days in the Belarusian capital city.

Sergei Sobyanin underlined that Moscow and Belarus are not competitors, their economies complement each other and help each other out at most difficult times. “European sanctions against food export to Moscow is the latest example. Moscow felt virtually no shortages with regard to the choice and volume of food deliveries, including thanks to Belarusian agricultural companies that have come to occupy the market niche vacated by European suppliers. Although mutual trade has dropped in U.S. dollar terms, in physical terms trade in food has increased,” pointed out the Moscow Mayor.

In his words, Belarus-Moscow cooperation is not limited to food supplies. In particular, Sergei Sobyanin noted that Moscow consumes a lot of civil engineering services and products. Minsk companies are duly represented in this regard. “I would like to thank Minskmetrostroy for their services during the construction of two Moscow metro lines,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

Sergei Sobyanin also noted that Moscow is vigorously renewing the rolling fleet of the mass transit system. Two thirds of the ground vehicles have been replaced in the last few years. About 800 vehicles are of Belarusian make.

In turn, Minsk Mayor Andrei Shorets underlined that the organization of the forum indicates that the two sides are making the transition to real and concrete cooperation and are starting to discuss urgent problems such as the organization of public procurement tenders, information technologies, energy saving, transport and logistics. Andrei Shorets said he was confident that mutually beneficial contacts will be signed during the forum. He drew attention to the huge interest in the event that had gathered representatives of 130 Belarusian companies and over 30 Russian companies.

Ambassador of Russia to Belarus Alexander Surikov noted that it was remarkable that the Moscow-Belarus Business Cooperation Forum had been organized alongside the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia. “We welcome tight cooperation between the regions of Belarus and Russia, moreover, capital regions because the main research and manufacturing assets of our countries are concentrated there. I expect that not only higher trade figures but an increase in the manufacturing potential of the regions of Belarus and Russia will follow the forum,” said Alexander Surikov.

BelTA reported earlier that the Moscow Days are scheduled to take place in Minsk on 6-8 June. The event has been organized by the Foreign Economic and International Ties Department of the Moscow city government. A gala concert will take place in the Palace of the Republic this evening. USSR People’s Artist Vasily Lanovoi and artists of Moscow theaters will present the Immortal Regiment project in the Moscow House in Minsk on 8 June. The central archive agency of the Moscow city government will demonstrate a historical documentary exhibition timed to the 75^th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. Minsk residents will be able to learn more about Moscow by visiting a book exhibition and a photo exhibition My Moscow. The Moscow Days in Minsk will also feature friendly matches between junior ice hockey teams of Moscow and Minsk as well as cultural events.