Belarus, Russia’s Moscow Oblast discuss industrial cooperation, new projects

“With the governor of Moscow Oblast, we discussed the results of our five-year cooperation cycle that has essentially been completed,” Dmitry Krutoi told journalists following the talks. “This region is number one for Belarus in terms of trade, exports, and imports. Despite all the sanctions and market restrictions, with some segments shrinking, the doubling of growth over the past five years is a solid and significant achievement. Last year's 17% growth also deserves a more detailed and specific discussion of the factors that contributed to these results. It is possible that many of these approaches could be implemented in other regions of Russia.”

As a positive example, he first cited industrial cooperation. “What is good about working with Moscow Oblast? First of all, it is industrial cooperation: more than 120 Belarusian enterprises with Belarusian capital are closely cooperating with industrial enterprises of Moscow Oblast. These are joint productions: in some cases, separate production lines, in others – full-scale plants, such as the cable products plant involving our Beltelekabel. It attracted more than RUB1 billion in investment and created 150 jobs,” Dmitry Krutoi said. Within just six months, the plant reached full design capacity. “Today it is a shining example of industrial cooperation I am talking about,” he noted.

Other successful examples of Belarus-Moscow Oblast industrial cooperation include the establishment of elevator equipment production, diesel engine lines, and auto components. At the same time, the head of the President Administration pointed out that there are many unfilled niches. “For example, in the segment of utility vehicles: we managed to substitute imported chassis, that is our MAZ. There are superstructures, but there are problems with gearboxes and certain components that exist in Belarus but, for some reason, are still unknown to Russians. Therefore, at the level of medium and small enterprises, we need more intensive communication. We agreed with the leadership of Moscow Oblast that using the chambers of commerce and industry will be the most effective format,” Dmitry Krutoi said.

 
The talks also addressed supplies of Belarusian passenger transport and utility vehicles to Moscow Oblast and the creation of a multibrand center there. It is planned to combine service maintenance with a large showroom for Belarusian equipment.

Speaking about agriculture, Dmitry Krutoi highlighted seed production: 17 Belarusian varieties across 10 crops are already registered in Moscow Oblast’s registry. “The governor also said that this topic should be continued, because with large processing capacity and strong animal husbandry, the region has begun to need grain, focusing on crop production and increasing yields,” explained the head of the President Administration.

 
As for construction, Belarus is mainly involved in building toll road sections in Moscow Oblast. “The governor confirmed that everything is being done on time and with quality. For him, Belarusians have become a benchmark among other contractors. Therefore, he said that this work will also continue,” he noted. Dmitry Krutoi added that there are not yet examples of Belarusians building social facilities in Moscow Oblast, but work in this direction will continue.

He separately highlighted the Sodruzhestvo project: a production and logistics center where, based on Belarusian cement, a full range of products will be manufactured for sale in neighboring regions. “It will be a hub in central Russia for reinforced concrete products and dry construction mixes. A large 3D printer will be installed,” he stressed. A site has been selected in Naro-Fominsk District, with two additional sites being arranged for all necessary production facilities. Construction is expected to begin soon.

“Given our relations, on behalf of the president of our country I invited the governor of Moscow Oblast to visit Belarus in the second half of the year, meet with our leader, and hold talks at the level of Minsk Oblast, which is assigned to cooperate with Moscow Oblast,” Dmitry Krutoi added.

Ambassador Yuri Seliverstov said: “I am confident that the relations developed by Dmitry Nikolaevich Krutoi will only grow. Taking into account the sanctions imposed against Belarus and Russia, industrial cooperation comes to the forefront. Our ability to jointly produce what we previously imported from abroad is a prospect both for business and for citizens. Of course, our people want external shocks not to affect them, and to live as before. Our task is to find a reasonable balance to ensure this stability. Naturally, social issues are also important: people-to-people contacts, children’s exchanges. I will make every effort to ensure our cooperation becomes even closer and more constructive.”