Belarus, Russia’s Vologda Oblast sign cooperation program for 2026-2028

The document was signed by Chairman of the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom, Chairman of the Belarusian part of the joint commission for the development of cooperation between Belarus and Vologda Oblast Aleksandr Pshenny and Chairman of the Vologda Oblast Government, Chairman of the Vologda part of the joint commission Aleksandr Mordvinov.

Aleksandr Pshenny noted that this is not the first cooperation program between Belarus and Vologda Oblast. “It creates the foundation for further work in various fields. The economy is the top priority. The head of state always emphasizes its importance. Social, cultural, sports and tourism cooperation, interaction between our regions are also a priority. Under the previous program for 2021-2025, trade grew by 33%. At the same time, exports from Belarus to Vologda Oblast doubled. If this dynamic continues with the program we signed today for three years, then, as the Vologda Oblast governor said, we will reach $1 billion. This is the task set by the head of state,” the Bellesbumprom chairman said. 

According to him, the emphasis is primarily on the supplies of industrial equipment from MTZ, MAZ, BelAZ and Amkodor enterprises. “This year, a contract for 20 MAZ buses has already been signed. Our event today resulted in the signing of an agreement to supply two units of Amkodor machinery. Annually, over 700 tractors are assembled at a joint production facility in Vologda Oblast. In addition, more than 2,000 units are sold through the dealer network,” Aleksandr Pshenny said.

Vologda Oblast Governor Georgy Filimonov said that several mutually beneficial projects had been proposed during the Days of Vologda Oblast in Belarus forum. The first one is the establishment of a multimodal multi-brand service center in Vologda Oblast for all Belarusian equipment. According to him, one of the possible locations for such a center could be a special economic zone near the settlement of Leskovo.

Moreover, Vologda Oblast is a leader in Russia in purchasing Pozhsnab machinery. “These are water tenders. Last year we purchased 17 of them. We propose to set up a production facility in Vologda Oblast, perhaps also in the special economic zone. The first stage could be a complete semi knock-down assembly. Then we can increase the localization rate to 70% and later move on to the manufacturing of the entire Pozhsnab machinery line in Vologda Oblast,” the governor said.

The program also envisages industrial cooperation. In particular, it provides for supplies of agricultural, timber industry, road construction, utility and special equipment produced by Belarusian enterprises, fire safety equipment. It also includes deepening of cooperation in education, culture, youth policy and tourism. These areas will be a priority for the next three years. 

A number of commercial agreements and agreements on regional cooperation were signed. One of them is the cooperation agreement between the Vologda Oblast Forestry Ministry and Amkodor-Lesmash enterprise. The document is aimed at developing and renewing the fleet of timber trucks, logging, loading, unloading and road machinery at the enterprises of the region's forest complex. In addition, the forum saw B2B business negotiations between representatives of Belarusian and Vologda enterprises and organizations.

The Days of Vologda Oblast in Belarus forum featured an extensive program with a presentation of the trade, economic, investment, tourism and cultural potential of Vologda Oblast, a fair and a concert program with performers from Vologda Oblast.