Belarus’ food industry concern: Ties with Russia’s Ryazan Oblast see active growth

Oleg Zhidkov emphasized that relations with Ryazan Oblast are in a phase of active, progressive development, as clearly evidenced by the meeting between regional Governor Pavel Malkov and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in March 2026.

The chairman of the concern pointed out that this high-level dialogue provided a powerful impetus for expanding trade and economic cooperation, the results of which are already reflected in the statistics. For instance, Belarus’ exports to Ryazan Oblast in January–July 2026 increased by 12% year-on-year, while imports during this period virtually reached 100% compared to the same period in 2025.

“The current year gives every reason to look to the future with optimism. The potential for further integration, alignment, and interregional Belarusian-Russian cooperation is truly immense. The Union State has immeasurable reserves in virtually every area of partnership – we have plenty to work on and much to strive for,” Oleg Zhidkov noted.

The speaker highlighted key areas that require a concentration of resources and attention, particularly in industrial cooperation, which holds significant potential for increasing supply volumes. The parties’ mutual interest clearly demonstrates the ability of their economies to successfully complement each other. The Union State of Belarus and Russia is ready to share not only high-quality domestic products but also advanced technological expertise, creating a solid foundation for long-term cooperation.

The Belarusian delegation features a broad pool of participants divided into two groups: business and government. Both groups are highly motivated and ready to implement joint projects.