Belarus, Russia’s Leningrad Oblast review cooperation development

Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov noted that Leningrad Oblast consistently ranks among Belarus’ top ten trade partners. “Measures to further boost mutual trade are approved by cooperation agreements for 2026–2027. They are quite ambitious,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nikolai Snopkov noted that the cooperation programs include the supply of about 2,000 pieces of machinery to Russian partners, a wide range of industrial and food products, and the implementation of joint socio-cultural projects. “Our new focus area is power equipment, which currently serves primarily as a backup for Leningrad Oblast, yet performs a fundamental security function for the region’s energy infrastructure. This is likely to further boost the already impressive mutual trade,” he stated.

According to him, the agricultural industry and housing and utilities remain the priority areas of cooperation. “The development of Belarusian Village retail outlets could drive further market saturation with high-quality Belarusian products. The successful experience of these locations has already been proven in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, and Petrozavodsk. We are currently selecting venues to open such stores in Murino, Vsevolozhsk, and Gatchina. Furthermore, back in April, our head of state tasked us with reviving fish farming in Belarus. In the near term, we plan to build trout and sturgeon farms. We believe it makes perfect sense to maximize partnership with fish hatcheries in Leningrad Oblast. While we have already developed successful expertise in Mogilev Oblast, exchanging experience will certainly be valuable,” the first deputy prime minister emphasized.

Regarding the supply of machinery (MAZ, MTZ, Amkodor), which, according to Nikolai Snopkov, plays an important role in the positive dynamics of economic cooperation, the Belarusian side is ready to increase these deliveries and offer passenger vehicles. At the same time, readiness was expressed to provide tailored, favorable financial programs for all purchases.

“Every meeting of ours is not just another session, but a platform for developing concrete, measurable, and quantified solutions. The accumulated experience and the dynamics of our interaction demonstrate the effectiveness of our cooperation. We stand ready to promptly review any initiatives to optimize bilateral cooperation and provide them with full support,” Nikolai Snopkov said.

Governor of Leningrad Oblast Aleksandr Drozdenko, in turn, noted that Belarus is a key systemic trade partner for the region. “This is reflected in the final figures for 2025 and the growth rates in January-July 2026. We work systemically, and new roadmaps for 2026–2027 have been signed. These documents unite our efforts across everything from the economy to humanitarian ties. We continue to actively purchase agricultural machinery: in just six months, we bought 75 pieces of Belarusian equipment. Furthermore, we continue to subsidize equipment and will maintain these subsidies for the next three years. Our plans until the end of the year include continuing to buy Belarusian machinery,” the governor said.