Lukashenko: Belarus is open to closer cooperation with Russia’s Interros and Nornickel companies
12:10, 8 September
Photo: BELTA
Belarus is open to closer cooperation with the Interros and Nornickel companies, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a meeting with Russian businessman Vladimir Potanin in Minsk, BelTA has learned.
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“Given that Interros is not only Norilsk Nickel, but a multi-sectoral structure, we have plenty to discuss. I think there are many intersecting interests. I asked the Belarusian prime minister to brief you in detail on the main areas of Belarus’ development and the areas where we can cooperate,” the president said. “We are open to cooperation. We would like your company (a successful one, even in these difficult times) to cooperate with Belarus.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Vladimir Potanin is a person well-versed in many matters and, among other things, knows very well the areas in which cooperation can be developed: “Dump trucks. Surprisingly to me, it turned out that tires are also of interest, I mean the tied made by our Belshina. Joint projects for the maintenance and creation of new equipment in Krasnoyarsk Territory are also interesting and promising for us. Your companies are multi-sector players: there is a humanitarian dimension and the IT. There are things we know how to do in Belarus. You also know perfectly well what we can do.”
The head of state also noted that Vladimir Potanin has Belarusian roots: “We are compatriots by our roots. Your grandfather was from Mogilev Oblast.”
"I’m a quarter Belarusian. And yes, he was a real farmer, through and through. So I do have roots there,” Vladimir Potanin confirmed.
"The whole point of this is for you to turn your attention to Belarus and for us to deepen our cooperation in this regard,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
As BelTA reported earlier, BelAZ and Nornickel signed a cooperation agreement the day before. The goal is to combine efforts in building up scientific and technological capacities to create a new generation of mining vehicles, introduce unmanned technologies for mining operations, and other innovations. The agreement provides for the establishment of a joint venture to implement these plans and an enterprise with a full-profile repair base aimed at developing the production, repair, and maintenance of underground mining vehicles.
