Ambassador: Belarus willing to participate in urban transport upgrade program of Smolensk

Ambassador Dmitry Krutoi held talks with Smolensk Oblast Governor Aleksei Ostrovsky and Smolensk city mayor Andrei Borisov to discuss ways of expanding trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and the Russian region. "The Belarusian side is ready to participate in the program to upgrade the fleet of urban passenger transport in Smolensk in 2023-2024. The city's needs are estimated at more than 400 units. Smolensk Oblast is interested in attracting Belarusian organizations to the regional infrastructure projects, including the reconstruction and construction of social facilities, housing and utility services and roads," the press service said.

The parties considered in detail industrial cooperation, import substitution. Participation of Belarusian agricultural companies in agricultural projects in Smolensk Oblast, including on the terms of long-term lease of land, was discussed too. The agreements reached will be reflected in the action plan for cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and Smolensk oblast for 2023-2025.

"Ambassador Dmitry Krutoi invited Aleksei Ostrovsky to pay an official visit to the Republic of Belarus in 2023," the embassy added.

The Belarusian delegation also visited MAZ-RUS company, a Svitanak store and Smolselmash plant which produces agricultural machines using kits of the Bobruiskagromash plant, Mozyr Machine-Building Plant and other manufacturers.

Smolensk Oblast is in the top 5 regions of Russia in terms of cooperation with Belarus. This year, trade with Smolensk Oblast surged by more than 11%, including exports - by 45%. The parties supply each other with a wide range of goods: from trucks and tractors to food and chemical products.