Ambassador details Belarus’ strategy in Russia
14:04, 23 January
photo: BelTA
The minimum goal is to maintain the export at the current level, Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Yuri Seliverstov, who was appointed to this post on 22 January, told the media as he outlined the strategy for promoting Belarusian goods on the Russian market, BelTA has learned.
- Share on Facebook
- Share on VK
- Share on Twitter
“But our job is to increase it,” he said, pointing out that enterprises are modernizing and launching new types of products. While low-horsepower tractors (MTZ-82) were previously actively used, the manufacturers are now more focused on promoting more powerful machines with higher added value. Business entities are interested in such machinery. Recently, the prime minister toured Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ trademark) to examine the issue of producing a 500hp tractor. “This is the new product that we clearly need. It seems the situation is the same in the Russian Federation. They need it too. Ramping up the production of precisely the goods that are in demand is, in my opinion, the way forward as the potential is limitless,” Ambassador Yuri Seliverstov said.
Another avenue is replacing goods that are no longer in sufficient demand. “We need to stay ahead of the curve. We are an export-oriented country; we must not just utilize this advantage. We cannot develop without it," the ambassador noted.
Yuri Seliverstov will travel to Moscow next week, once the formalities are settled, and begin his official duties immediately. Among the most significant challenges, he cited a shrinking consumer demand due to high interest rates and a stricter monetary policy. This prevents Russian consumers from purchasing Belarusian machinery in the same quantities as before. Competition is also intensifying.
“We must ensure that goods are delivered on time, are of high quality, and that financial terms are favorable," Yuri Seliverstov said, adding that it is no longer possible to operate as before when machinery was supplied on a 100% prepayment basis.According to the ambassador, it is crucial to quickly adapt to the new conditions, as this also affects the producers’ revenue. The government has already developed a series of measures, including financial support and supply schemes based on leasing. “These decisions have been made. They are not entirely new,” Ambassador Yuri Seliverstov said. "At the embassy, we will monitor all processes and inform the government about why certain mechanisms, already widely known in the country, are not being applied.”
As it has BelTA has reported, Yuri Seliverstov, appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation, will also concurrently serve as the Plenipotentiary Representative of Belarus to the CIS Economic Council, the Special Representative of Belarus for integration cooperation within the framework of the Union State, the EAEU, the CIS, and the CSTO.
Yuri Seliverstov has been vested with the powers of a Deputy Prime Minister overseeing Belarus's activities within the Union State and its relations with Russia.
