Press releases

MINSK, 23 November (BelTA) - Belarus is ready to join the project to renovate the FIFA World Cup 2018 training base in Roschino, Leningrad Oblast, Belarus’ First Deputy Prime Minister Vasily Matyushevsky said when speaking at the meeting of the joint commission for the development of cooperation between Belarus and Leningrad Oblast, BelTA has learned.

Vasily Matyushevsky said that he would like to see services to take a bigger share in the trade between Belarus and Leningrad Oblast, particularly construction services. "Belarusian design and construction organizations are ready to work in Leningrad Oblast both in the residential and road construction. We know about the plans of Leningrad Oblast to co-finance the renovation of the infrastructure of the training base in Roschino, which will be the key training facility for 2018 FIFA World Cup. Belarusian specialists are up to the task. We expect that Leningrad Oblast will give us the opportunity to participate in the relevant tender,” he added.

As regards the trade between Belarus and Leningrad Oblast, it somewhat declined in 2014 and 2015, but, according to Vasily Matyushevsky, this trend will be reversed in the future. The First Deputy Prime Minister said that in the present circumstances the commission needs to build a more flexible system of coordination between government and business, to join efforts to strengthen trade and economic ties. "We need to respond quickly to negative economic challenges, expand trade and encourage cooperation between the industries which could become the locomotive of economic growth," he said. In particular, it is necessary to deepen cooperation in industry, agriculture, and develop exhibition and fair activities. Small and medium-sized business, research organizations should take an active part in these processes.

For his part, Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko reaffirmed the willingness to intensify cooperation in various sectors. “Contacts with regions of Belarus are very important for Leningrad Oblast. We have friendly and trusting relationships that are the keystone of a trusted partnership and successful work,” said Alexander Drozdenko.

The parties agreed to draft a program of trade, economic, scientific-technical and humanitarian cooperation between the Governments of Belarus and Leningrad Oblast for 2016-2018. This document will be signed in the first half of 2016. During the meeting, the parties noted that the implementation of the previous program contributed to the expansion of trade and economic relations between Belarus and Leningrad Oblast. The mutual trade numbers show significant potential to increase the supply of food and non-food goods, and also freight, passenger, municipal and road-building machinery from Belarus to Leningrad Oblast.