Belarus ready to contribute to transport, utilities reforms in St. Petersburg

Dmitry Krutoi thanked Aleksandr Beglov for his personal contribution to advancing Belarus' cooperation with St. Petersburg to new heights. It allowed securing record-high results in expanding economic cooperation within a short period of time. 2022 saw Belarus' trade with St. Petersburg exceed $2 billion for the first time. It is a vivid testimony to the fact that even unprecedented pressure of Western sanctions cannot impede the development of a tight union between Belarus and Russia and between Belarus and one of the country's key partners – St. Petersburg, the ambassador noted.

According to the Belarusian embassy's press service, participation of Belarusian manufacturers in a large-scale transportation reform in St. Petersburg was high on the agenda of the talks. Dmitry Krutoi said: “Belarusian enterprises are ready to honor existing contracts in a timely manner and are intent on starting the production of modified or absolutely new models of passenger vehicles taking into account the city's needs such as extremely large capacity buses, third-generation vehicles, modernized electrobuses, and airport apron electrobuses.” He added that participation in a purchase of a large batch of electrobuses and in the launch of a new tram line titled as Slavyanka was particularly important for Belarus.

The system for cleaning backyard territories was reformed in St. Petersburg in 2022. The city focused heavily on Belarusian vehicles. A similar reform is being contemplated by the St. Petersburg Beautification Committee. During the meeting the sides confirmed interest in continued cooperation in this regard and in expanding the lineup of municipal vehicles Belarusian manufacturers sell to St. Petersburg. Just like with passenger vehicles Belarusian manufacturers are ready to develop vehicles specifically to meet needs of the city upon Neva. MTZ and Amkodor are working on it.

MTZ and Amkodor work closely with the relevant branches of the city administration to establish an effective aftersales service system. During the meeting it was noted that the approach will remain unchanged. Dmitry Krutoi confirmed the readiness of Belarusian enterprises to supply road maintenance machines, machines for the maintenance of the city's parks and forests to the St. Petersburg Beautification Committee.

The organization of assembly of MAZ vehicles in St. Petersburg in order to make multipurpose road machines seems a promising avenue of cooperation. Dmitry Krutoi noted the Belarusian side is interested in realizing the project. MAZ has quite thoroughly looked into the matter of combination road machines.

The assembly of municipal vehicles based on MAZ chassis, which are bought directly from the Belarusian company, seems a realistic format of cooperation. “We are ready to consider proposals on possible partners, which the St. Petersburg government recommends, for realizing a project according to one of the suggested schemes,” Dmitry Krutoi confirmed.

The meeting in St. Petersburg took place in anticipation of the city governor's visit to Minsk, the embassy's press service said.