Lukashenko: Belarus, Russia’s Tula Oblast can reach $1bn in trade

The president welcomed Dmitry Milyaev and took the occasion to congratulate him on the election to the high and responsible post of the region’s governor (the early election of the Tula Oblast governor took place in September 2024). Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that the current visit of Dmitry Milyaev to Belarus is one of the first in his new post. "Certainly, I would like this visit to be very successful and bring great results," the head of state said.

The president noted that his previous meeting with the delegation of Tula Oblast took place in Minsk more than 10 years ago (in 2012 with Tula Oblast Governor Vladimir Gruzdev).

"Over this time, Belarus and Tula Oblast have considerably stepped up the cooperation. During the past two years, bilateral trade has increased to $500 million, despite difficulties or maybe thanks to them. This is quite significant. We have also reached a tremendous growth in trade – up by 37% in January-September 2024. Therefore, $1 billion is not such a high target for us today," the president stated.

The head of state outlined the most promising areas for the cooperation development.

Industrial cooperation 

First of all, this is industrial cooperation. "In addition to net profit, technology transfer, innovation and technological sovereignty, this creates new jobs both in our country and in your region," Aleksandr Lukashenko said, adding that these will be qualitatively new jobs. Both sides already have relevant experience: a project to produce special-purpose vehicles is being implemented between MAZ and the Splav association.

The president noted that Tulazheldormash is interested in cooperation with Belarusian partners (including in terms of purchase of metal structures), and Belarusian Railways is interested in the products of the Tula enterprise. He also confirmed Belarus' commitment to furthering the cooperation with industrial enterprises of Tula Oblast.

Belarusian engineering exports

Another promising area is the supply of Belarusian equipment. During the visit to Belarus, the Russian delegation plans to visit  Minsk Automobile Plant. MAZ vehicles, according to the president, will be widely used in Tula Oblast . In addition, the Belarusian side is ready to participate in projects to modernize the regional passenger vehicles fleet.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also sees a pilot e-bus and charging stations project in Tula Oblast as promising. Belarus has already gained certain experience in this area, the president said.

There is also potential to further increase the supply of agricultural machinery. In 2023, representatives of the Russian region visited the Belagro exhibition to get familiar with the potential of Belarusian agriculture and the quality of its machinery. “Here, we definitely have room to grow (only 50 MTZ tractors were sold in 2023, and they are very much needed in any area today). We can cooperate with you in this area,” the head of state said.

Scientific cooperation

The president also named scientific cooperation as another area of mutual interest. “In terms of development and production of chemical components, composite materials we can offer interaction with the Institute of Chemistry of New Materials of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus and also cooperation relations with Peleng enterprise. If necessary, we will provide assistance in training specialists for this area,” the Belarusian leader said.

Agriculture

"If you are ready, we can intensify supplies of Belarusian food products and agricultural raw materials to your region," Aleksandr Lukashenko proposed.
For example, Belarusian National Biotechnological Corporation can supply high-quality complete fodder, premixes and amino acids. The Belsemena enterprise offers high-quality seeds of Belarusian selection.

"Domestic enterprises are ready to participate in the projects to design and build cattle-breeding facilities, moreover, on a turnkey basis," the president noted.

Construction and housing and utility services

The head of state said that Belarusian specialists are building apartment buildings in Kaluga and Voronezh using the domestically-made structural systems of large-panel houses.
"We are ready to cooperate with you on this front too," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The Belarusian side is ready to share its experience in the field of housing and utility services, including in terms of water treatment and sanitation.

The president noted that this is only a small range of promising areas. Of course, the cooperation is not limited to the designated topics. "I guarantee that all the agreements you have reached in Belarus shall be implemented. We are responsible people, and once we take on some obligations we always honor them," the Belarusian leader said.

The Russian delegation comprised representatives of 34 Tula companies. They represent a wide range of economic sectors, from the food industry to railroad machinery. According to Dmitry Milyaev, Russia’s Tula Oblast and Belarus enjoy decades of close foreign economic and cultural ties.
 
“Foreign trade is growing quite fast. We are moving steadily in this direction,” the governor added.

Tula Oblast sells to Belarus goods of metallurgical and chemical industries, food products. “Cooperation is also developing in the machine-building sector,” Dmitry Milyaev said.