Krutoi: Belarus plans to take part in major Far East projects

“We have good roadmaps with the Far Eastern region. Virtually all the governors we have met over the past two years have visited Belarus, personally toured our enterprises, and met with the president. After that, protocols of instructions and specific investment projects were prepared. Today we are effectively synchronizing our watches. The Far East is developing rapidly. Russia is investing huge resources in this territory, creating large infrastructure projects and new sectors of the Far Eastern economy. Everything is being done to halt population outflow and truly strengthen the economic and infrastructural potential of the region. Our task today is to participate in these megaprojects,” Dmitry Krutoi said.

The head of the Belarus President Administration named mining as the first obvious area for cooperation between Belarus and the Far East, accounting for 30–40% of the region’s economy. Belarus can offer BelAZ and MAZ equipment. “Multibrand centers were discussed with the governors. In principle, we have a program up to 2030 at the government level. Of course, every governor asks to speed up the opening of these facilities. But here the issue is economic feasibility and competition,” he said. “Small streams converge into a big river of economic cooperation. As the president rightly says, for us today there are no small or large regions, significant or insignificant. We must work with all of them. Competition in the Far East is enormous. Our task is to fight for our niche, for our interests, taking into account the policies of the Far Eastern governors, who treat us very kindly and want to cooperate with us. Our task is to seize this moment,” Dmitry Krutoi said.

He cited the Jewish Autonomous Region as an example. It is a small region with just 140,000 residents, yet even there, BelAZ, MAZ, and MTZ equipment was supplied.

The second important area is infrastructure projects. “This includes public transport, passenger vehicles, housing and utilities development, water treatment and water purification - an incredibly pressing issue for Far Eastern cities. There are examples of our leading producers, both private and state-owned, participating, and there is a great demand for this. Our task is to develop clear plans for the supply of relevant equipment. And if these are engineering solutions, then to implement turnkey projects. To draw an analogy with mechanical engineering, these are offset contracts, but in the housing and utilities or water treatment sectors,” Dmitry Krutoi said.

Other promising areas for cooperation include forestry, logging, wood processing, and firefighting equipment. “We tested this in Primorye Territory, where our logging machines are operating in pilot mode. But of course, the terrain and conditions are challenging. Especially now, during the rainy season, or in previous years when there were fire hazard seasons. But our equipment performs well, no worse than Western counterparts. I think our sales of such products will also increase here,” the head of the Belarus President Administration added.

During today’s meetings with governors of Russian regions, the focus was on specialized Belarusian food stores. “There are several chains here that are operating, perhaps even to our shame, as Belarusians, who failed to create similar distribution structures in the Far East with their founders. But Russian founders are not deterred by distance, logistics, or supply difficulties: they have perfectly established all these models, and it is all profitable. The only issue is a shortage of products. We will also address this issue: wholesale distribution centers have been set up, and we have reliable hubs in Central Russia and Siberia. If there is demand, we will provide the rest. We can only support the desire of Russians to expand the network of these food stores in the Far East. It is pleasant to hear good reviews and good feedback about our food products,” Dmitry Krutoi said.

Other relevant topics for the Far East include IT and drones. “Many solutions that do not exist in Central and Western Russia are being tested here - in the areas of smart cities and intelligent systems. This is due to a very simple circumstance: the Far East accounts for 40% of Russia’s territory, with very low population density. And to monitor forest fire situations, drones are certainly needed, and they are developing successfully here. The region is interested in our experience. In developing smart city systems, digital and unmanned systems, we have the relevant competencies. I think we will also successfully promote this with a number of governors,” the head of the Belarus President Administration concluded.

Dmitry Krutoi is currently taking part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. This is the leading platform for the development of the Far Eastern economy and the expansion of international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, where Belarus can promote its interests. The forum brings together representatives of government, business, and expert communities from various countries to develop joint solutions, foster partnerships, and launch new projects. The extensive business program includes a plenary session, thematic sessions, business dialogues, roundtables, and expert discussions on various tracks, including The Far East - a pole of international interaction and Technologies of the Present and Future. On the sidelines of the forum, Dmitry Krutoi also held a series of meetings with governors of Russian regions to discuss Belarusian cooperation with the Far East.