Snopkov: External aggressive moves accelerated Belarus-Russia economic integration
09:58, 29 June
Photo: BelTA
Aggressive moves from outside have galvanized economic integration of Belarus and Russia, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Nikolai Snopkov said at the plenary session of the 10th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in Ufa on 28 June, BelTA has learned.
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“External aggressive moves have turned out to be a blessing in disguise of sorts - they have accelerated the pace of our integration to cosmic speeds. I believe that the dialogue between our countries has never been so candid, deep and practical as it is now. We are rethinking our economic relations and understand the wisdom of the decision taken by the leadership of Belarus and Russia in 1999 to build the Union State together,” Nikolai Snopkov noted. “The adoption by our presidents of the main targets and 28 Union State programs in November 2021 heralded a new stage of integration and this stage has turned out to be eventful and productive. Over a year and a half, the Supreme State Council and the Council of Ministers of the Union State adopted 27 legal acts to promote integration in the Union State,” he added.
According to the first deputy prime minister, a lot of work has been done within a relatively short period of time. “Some 80% of the activities stipulated by the Union State programs have been completed. Ten programs have been implemented in full. This became possible to due colossal, scrupulous and effective work of Belarusian and Russian specialists. I am sure that all the tasks set for 2021-2023 will come to fruition,” he stressed.
The economic integration of Belarus and Russia is making good progress. “Bilateral trade is consistently growing. In 2022, Belarus became one of Russia's top five trading partners. The substitution of exports and imports from unfriendly countries is proceeding in a fast and calm fashion. Our economies complement each other to a great extent. Mutual investments are on the rise and most importantly, last year the share of Belarusian investments in Russia amounted to 10% of our GDP, or $5.5 billion,” said Nikolai Snopkov.
He cited the following example: “Almost 70% of all Belarusian tractors are shipped to Russia. At the same time, almost 60% of component parts used in Belarusian tractors come from Russia. We will keep working this way.”
