PM names Belarus' cooperation priorities with Russia's Kaluga Oblast

“Such meetings makes it possible not only to discuss the implementation of previously reached agreements but also to identify new areas to build relations in the near future. It is especially important for us in the current conditions, when we, together with the Russian Federation, are resisting the economic aggression from abroad. And we are succeeding in this. Of course, one of the main tools to counter this pressure is cooperation and development of stable relations. We have been successfully redirecting exports from unfriendly countries to each other's markets, building new transport and logistics routes, solving import substitution issues, thus filling the Union State integration with real meaning,” Roman Golovchenko said.

In his words, the trade between Belarus and Kaluga Oblast is over $600 million. The Belarusian president has set a task to raise it to $1 billion. “It is quite a realistic and feasible task. We have stable long-term relations. There is potential for growth,” the prime minister stressed.

The Belarusian head of government outlined the priorities for the development of cooperation. “Of course, the construction sector has been and remains the driving force of our relations. Our builders implement a wide range of projects in Kaluga Oblast. We are grateful for your trust and support. We are aware of your plans to implement a number of new projects, both infrastructural and residential, and are ready to take an active part in them,” he said.

Another important area is industry and development of industrial cooperation. “Belarusian automobile makers, manufacturers of utilities and passenger vehicles are ready to take an active part in the transport fleet renewal programs implemented in Kaluga Oblast. There are some good examples of cooperation. Kaluga companies buy MAZ chassis and install on them their superstructures produced in your country. Another example is the use of Kaluga gas turbine engines in BelAZ haul trucks. Import substitution meets the interests of both parties,” Roman Golovchenko emphasized. According to him, cooperation in the machine tool industry is also relevant.

“We see no problems in the agro-industrial sector. Belarusian exports to Kaluga Oblast and your supplies to Belarus have both increased. The base is good, and we believe that we should move on to more serious cooperation projects,” the prime minister said. “You have an ambitious program to increase the number of hi-tech dairy complexes. Such projects are implemented in our country as well. We make a line of milking and related equipment for farms. We would be glad if you had modern Belarusian milking equipment installed on one or several farms of yours,” he said.

Roman Golovchenko also touched on the topic of air communication. “It is symbolic that you have arrived here by direct flight from Kaluga. We have cherished the idea for long. I am sure that everything will be done to ensure that regular air communication between Belarus and Kaluga Oblast is to stay. It is very important in view of the volume of our trade and economic cooperation. Of course, both economic and cultural ties will be strengthened thanks to this,” the Belarusian head of government said.