Moscow Oblast governor: We value cooperation with Belarus

“Thank you for the invitation, for the reception, for the contribution of your team to our joint work to prepare for this even. Ambassador of Belarus to Russia Dmitry Krutoi is deeply involved in the process. He oversees all important areas of work. We want to say today that we respect and appreciate your position, your attitude,” the governor said. “We understand the importance of cooperation with Belarus and value this cooperation in all respects,” the governor said.

Andrei Vorobyov noted that Belarus and China are the two largest trading partners of Moscow Oblast.

“Before the meeting, we had already discussed construction projects with our colleagues. This includes the cement industry, dry mixes. The region is large. Moscow and Moscow Oblast are growing by almost 200,000 people a year, and our construction projects are pretty big. This includes social facilities, road infrastructure; all this needs materials. Of course, we are interested. And our colleagues have already selected a number of locations for launching such production,” said the Moscow Oblast governor.

He also expressed interest in buying mechanical engineering equipment from Belarus.

The governor told journalists following the meeting that cooperation with Belarus is already in full swing in many areas: “Livestock farming, construction sector, mechanical engineering... We buy equipment. We are here to say that we are a friendly family, we have common interests and are ready to implement them together. We value our relations with Belarus.”

Andrei Vorobyov emphasized that all key areas of cooperation that the president listed at the meeting are vital for the development of Belarus and Moscow Oblast. “These are jobs, taxes. We have a very big construction project in Moscow Oblast, and Belarusian enterprises can find a substantial niche as suppliers of materials and as those performing construction works. The second big topic is related to agriculture and the sale of products to third countries. The thing is that 25% of the regional product of Moscow Oblast is generated by trade. We have large hubs. And this allows manufacturers to ship their products to various parts of the world,” the governor said.

“We have industrial parks in Moscow Oblast with production facilities and special terms for resident companies, including preferential loans at the interest rate of 5-7% per annum. Accordingly, Belarusian companies can also consider launching operations in these parks. As the president said, we can implement joint projects in mechanical engineering, processing industry, manufacturing and deeper processing of raw materials. We have the necessary capacities to do that,” added Andrei Vorobyov.

The governor also supported the Belarusian leader's call to continue cooperation in culture and education, and youth exchanges.