Events

MOSCOW, 24 May (BelTA) – Belarus and Primorsky Krai of Russia need to tap into the economic potential of cooperation despite the territorial remoteness and difficult logistics, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Igor Petrishenko said as he met with Acting Governor of Primorsky Krai Andrei Tarasenko on the sidelines of the 12th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), BelTA learned from the press-service of the diplomatic mission.

At present, the parties have launched a plan of action for 2018-2020 to implement the agreement between the governments of Belarus and Primorsky region on cooperation in trade, economy, social and cultural affairs. In Q1 2018 the trade surged by 44% to total $3.6 million. This shows that we have the opportunities to increase the bilateral trade and also enhance economic cooperation in general, Igor Petrishenko stressed.

For his part, Andrei Tarasenko noted that the Primorsky region pays special attention to the development of the agricultural sector and plans to ramp up the agricultural production (RUB1.7 billion was earmarked in 2018 for the relevant program). According to him, in the region there has been a steady demand for Belarusian equipment, food products, consumer goods.

The ambassador welcomed an increase in the supplies of Belarusian equipment to the Russian region (94 MTZ tractors, 37 MAZ trucks in 2017; 45 tractors, 7 trucks, 8 towed vehicles produced by MAZ and MTZ and 31 Amkodor vehicles and machines in Q1 2018) and said that the Belarusian manufacturers are ready to rack them up. MAZ and Belavtomaz are ready to help Primorsky Krai renew the passenger fleet using various financing schemes.

Igor Petrishenko also reaffirmed the readiness of Belarus to step up direct deliveries of agricultural products and foodstuffs, consumer goods to the Russian region, the press service noted. He said that Belarusian partners are implementing a project to build a dairy farm for 1,000 head and an agro-town in Korsakovo District of the Sakhalin Oblast and suggested Primorsky Krai use this Belarusian expertise. The ambassador also invited the partners to study the experience of a number of Russian regions who attract Belarusian organizations to design and build housing, industrial and social objects, rural settlements, investment projects.