New ambassador to Russia outlines strategy to promote Belarusian goods

The new Belarusian ambassador to Russia emphasized the importance of exports and promoting Belarusian goods. “We do not have a raw materials sector. We have mechanical engineering, the service sector, and we must promote that,” Yuri Seliverstov is convinced. “We must not just sell a tractor but also offer terms to make it convenient in terms of servicing and financing.”

“Traditionally, it was always easier to supply [equipment] to some dealer with a payment deferral and wait for them to sell it themselves, find the resources, and settle with us. That is not the most correct path, and under current conditions, these approaches fundamentally need to change,” Yuri Seliverstov added.

He also noted that previous Belarusian ambassadors to Russia worked quite effectively. Nevertheless, he emphasized, the situation is changing very rapidly, and new challenges are emerging, including from a financial perspective. “It is clear that we cannot influence the situation unfolding around us, but we must react to it adequately,” the new ambassador to Russia said.

Yuri Seliverstov recalled the head of state’s statement that a redivision of the world is underway: “We will have to integrate into these processes even faster. It is important that our countries - Belarus and Russia - do this in sync, understanding that we have the Union State and common interests.”