MOSCOW, 2 March (BelTA) - Deliveries of the entire range of Belarusian passenger vehicles and haulers, renovation of the elevator fleet in Krasnoyarsk, and innovations in the agricultural sector were among the issues high on the agenda of the talks between Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Dmitry Krutoi and Krasnoyarsk Krai Governor Aleksandr Uss, which took place on 2 March as part the diplomat's visit to the Russian region, BelTA has learned.
“We have only restored the trade we had before the pandemic: we have reached $200 million in mutual trade,” Dmitry Krutoi told the media after the meeting. “However, it is not enough taking into consideration the opportunities which appeared in respect to this region. First of all, it is a good budget: for the past few years there have been additional revenues and opportunities both at the level of the entire region and the city of Krasnoyarsk. There are certain subsidies for the purchase of various types of equipment used specifically in this region. Therefore, the governor noted that this machine building trade, if it can be called that, is dominant in our relations today. Examples of BelAZ, deliveries of our tractors, harvesters, some AMKODOR equipment are the main ones in our trade relations. However, in order to move to the next level, we must expand investment channels. So far, unfortunately, the results have been insufficient here. We are at the very beginning of this road, and the assembly facilities that have been set up in the last two years should give an additional effect,” he added.
The ambassador stated that there are good opportunities for Belarus in the supply of elevator equipment, as Krasnoyarsk Krai is mulling over a large renovation program. “The governor announced a five-year program adopted at the regional level to prepare for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Krasnoyarsk in 2028: huge federal and regional funds has been allocated,” Dmitry Krutoi said. This opens new prospects for Belarus to participate in the renovation of housing, the supply of various kinds of passenger vehicles, projects for the construction of the underground and surface metro. “If we, Belarusians, are indecisive here and miss such opportunities, it will be impossible to occupy this niche. It is a big advantage for us that the Krasnoyarsk Krai authorities have such an attitude to our manufacturers, an invitation to participate actively in these programs – it is a big plus for us. Here everything depends on our ability to act in this market,” the ambassador stressed.
As for the Krasnoyarsk Krai mining sector, there are good examples of cooperation, the diplomat stressed. “The world-famous company Nornickel has started cooperation with Minsk Bearing Plant, including in the supply of new products to be produced at the Minsk enterprise as part of the two presidents’ agreement on import substitution. Our Soligorsk enterprise Niva-Holding has launched supplies of mine transport and relevant mining equipment to the gold mining companies of the region,” he said.
“We need more such examples,” Dmitry Krutoi stressed.
During his visit the Belarusian ambassador is also set to take part in the Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum and visit a number of companies assembling Belarusian equipment.