Events

30 Jun 2021

Vorobyov: About 80 Russian regions maintain inter-regional ties with Belarus

MINSK, 30 June (BelTA) - About 80 Russian regions maintain inter-regional ties with Belarus, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Yury Vorobyov said during a meeting of the inter-parliamentary commission on interregional cooperation of the Council of the Republic and the Federation Council as part of the 8th Forum of the Regions of Belarus and Russia on 30 June, BelTA has learned.

"Despite the fact that the previous Forum of Regions was abridged due to the pandemic, it still yielded tangible results. About 80 Russian regions maintain inter-regional ties with the Republic of Belarus. The Republic of Bashkortostan, Samara Oblast, Stavropol Krai, Kursk Oblast, the Republic of Komi, the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, the Nenets Autonomous Region and others are actively developing cooperation with Belarus. For example, there are 14 enterprises in Bashkortostan set up with the participation of capital from Belarus. At present, the parties are discussing ways of expanding the supply of Belarusian automotive, agricultural and construction equipment to the region and the organization of assembly facilities there. There are more than 80 branded stores of Belarusian manufacturers in Kursk Oblast. In the city of Kursk, the Mozyr Housebuilding Plant is building a residential complex "Belarusian quarter," Yury Vorobyov said.

According to him, joint projects in education and science are successfully implemented too. "For example, Syktyvkar State University in the Republic of Komi has signed a number of documents on cooperation with three educational organizations of Grodno Oblast. There are many more examples of the effectiveness of our interregional ties," Yury Vorobyov noted. “Trade and economic ties between our countries have been growing. At the end of last year, the trade amounted to $29.5 billion. Belarus ranks fourth among Russia's trading partners and first among CIS countries. Russian investments in the Belarusian economy exceeded $4 billion last year. The largest joint investment project is the construction of the two-unit Belarusian nuclear power plant. The second unit is to be commissioned next year."

The most important tool to promote integration cooperation is the interstate programs, which are financed, among other things, from the budget of the Union State. "In recent years, we have seen considerable positive experience on this front. But there are, of course, some issues. First of all, it is the time framework and effectiveness of interstate programs," Yury Vorobyov added. He expressed confidence that such representative membership of the inter-parliamentary commission will be able to develop concrete solutions to the current problems hampering business cooperation between the regions of our countries,” he added.

The 8th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia kicked off on 29 June and will be running through 1 July. Its main events are held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.