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Belarus ready to help extract commercial minerals in Russia’s Primorsky Krai
MINSK, 16 July (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to participate in the extraction of commercial minerals in Russia’s Primorsky Krai. First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Aleksandr Turchin made the relevant statement as he met with Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Turchin said: “It is obvious that Primorsky Krai is one of the leaders in Russia in terms of the extraction of commercial minerals. In my opinion, cooperation with our [automobile engineering company] BelAZ is one of the promising avenues. We could definitely participate in the development of mineral deposits and the extraction of commercial minerals in Primorsky Krai.”
Apart from BelAZ the Belarusian companies MAZ, Amkodor, and other ones are ready to supply vehicles and equipment. According to Aleksandr Turchin, electric buses, which have already earned good reputation, can be an interesting novelty for the Russian region. “The Belarusian government has set out to switch our urban infrastructure to electric transport as much as possible over a short period of time,” he added.
Aleksandr Turchin believes that cooperation in agribusiness can also be successful. Belarus is interested in selling more food to Primorsky Krai while avoiding middlemen. “We should get rid of middlemen in product shipments to Primorsky Krai in order to keep prices within a shouting distance of our selling prices even considering the cost of logistics,” he believes.
Apart from that, Belarus is ready to participate in civil engineering projects. “Belarusian construction workers have earned quite a reputation both here and in the Russian Federation,” Aleksandr Turchin pointed out.
According to Aleksandr Turchin, cooperation in IT industry and the development of the digital economy also looks promising.
Aleksandr Turchin suggested setting up a working group or a commission to consider specific joint projects in various areas.
Oleg Kozhemyako pointed out that Primorsky Krai is the most heavily populated region in the Far East. It is now home to about 2 million people. The advantages of Primorsky Krai include the availability of sea ports and proximity to such countries as China, Japan, and South Korea, which makes the region the eastern outpost in terms of the development of the Russian Federation.
The governor said: “We see opportunities and prospects of advancing trade relations, which will allow providing Primorsky Krai residents with high-quality organic food. At present the level of trust in Belarus-made foods is very high. There are fairs showcasing Belarusian products in many areas. The products enjoy strong demand.” Oleg Kozhemyako agreed that it is necessary to resolve the problem of middlemen in shipments of Belarusian products to Primorsky Krai.
In January-May 2019 Belarus’ trade with Russia’s Primorsky Krai amounted to $5.7 million, 1.7% up from the same period of last year. Belarus’ export reached $4.6 million, with import at $1.1 million.
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