Events

MINSK, 25 November (BelTA) - Belarus and Bryansk Oblast of Russia signed a program of cooperation for 2014-2016 in Minsk on 25 November, BelTA has learnt.

The document was signed by Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich and Bryansk Oblast Governor Nikolai Denin.

As it was noted during the ceremony, the Belarusian government views the cooperation with the Russian region as successful. In terms of trade Bryansk Oblast is the 8th largest partner of Belarus among the regions of the Russian Federation. Since 2005 the trade between Belarus and Bryansk Oblast has increased five times, reaching nearly $900 million in 2012. The trade keeps growing in 2013 as well. Next year's goal is to raise the mutual trade to $1 billion. According to Mikhail Myasnikovich and Nikolai Denin, this goal is achievable.

“I would like to note that our cooperation relies on a systematic approach,” said the Belarusian head of government. This, in his view, is a key to success of the relationship. “Here we have joint programs, and the access of the Belarusian economic entities to the Bryansk programs and vice versa. The joint ventures operate quite effectively,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich

As for the promising areas of cooperation, according to the Belarusian Prime Minister, they include agriculture, where the Russian colleagues have made great advances, and many other areas. The economies of Belarus and the Bryansk region are complementary, and the relations between the parties are open, said Mikhail Myasnikovich. This, he said, instills confidence that everything they parties have agreed on will be implemented.

Bryansk Oblast Governor Nikolai Denin noted the importance of the cooperation with Belarus for the Russian region. As for the program signed on 25 November, according to Nikolai Denin, it would help to address the fundamental objective set by Russian President Vladimir Putin to almost double the wages of workers of budgetary sectors and labor productivity, and to implement the task announced by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, namely to increase the trade between Belarus and Bryansk Oblast to $1 billion in 2014.

A delegation of Bryansk Oblast of the Russian Federation headed by Governor Nikolai Denin is in Belarus on a visit on 24-26 November. The Russian delegation is set to visit regions, companies and meet with officials of the government bodies.

In 2013 the trade between Belarus and Bryansk Oblast totaled more than $870 million in 2012 (up 41%). In January-September, the trade between Belarus and Bryansk Oblast amounted to nearly $680 million. In 2012 Belarus’ major exports to this Russian region were machinery for harvesting and crops processing, milk and concentrated cream, building materials, road and construction machinery.

Bryansk Oblast is home to two large facilities assembling Belarusian machinery. Bryanskselmash (Belarusian founders are Gomselmash and Gomel Foundry and Standards Works) was established in 2005. It manufactures harvesters and other agricultural machinery and spare parts. Founded in 2009, Amkodor-Bryansk produces eight models of vehicles certified in Russia (trucks and snow plows).