MOSCOW, 7 June (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to supply Arkhangelsk Oblast with machines, vehicles, and equipment in full measure. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Vladimir Semashko made the statement as he met with Arkhangelsk Oblast Governor Igor Orlov during the 23rd St Petersburg International Economic Forum, the embassy’s press service told BelTA.
Among priority avenues for advancing bilateral cooperation Vladimir Semashko mentioned woodworking, civil engineering, shipments of passenger and freight vehicles to Arkhangelsk Oblast as well as food and forest harvesting machines. In particular, the ambassador noted that Belarusian manufacturers are ready to fully satisfy Arkhangelsk Oblast’s demand for modern mining machines and vehicles, municipal vehicles, forest harvesting machines, trucks, road construction machines, and passenger vehicles, including cutting-edge high-technology models of electric buses.
According to the embassy, at present transport companies in Arkhangelsk and Severodvinsk already use about 100 MAZ buses. In 2018 the region received 29 buses and eight trucks from MAZ, eight Amkodor road construction machines, and 16 BelAZ haul trucks. Vladimir Semashko thanked the Russian side for assistance with deliveries of Belarusian machines and vehicles to the region and suggested considering the possibility of setting up a full-fledged center to provide repairs and maintenance to MAZ vehicles.
A proposal was also made in favor of increasing the volume of export of civil engineering services, lifting equipment to Arkhangelsk Oblast within the framework of the programs being implemented in the region. The possibility of building a Belarusian city block in the region, including with assistance of credit resources of Belarusian banks, was also suggested. The approach has already earned a positive reputation in a number of Russian regions. The approach allows regional authorities to buy out finished real estate assets.
Igor Orlov expressed interest in adopting an action plan on cooperation between the governments of Belarus and Arkhangelsk Oblast soon. The ambassador suggested organizing a visit of representatives of the Belarusian private sector to Arkhangelsk Oblast. The proposal was welcomed by the governor.
During the St Petersburg International Economic Forum Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Vladimir Semashko also met with Chairman of the External Relations Committee of St Petersburg Yevgeny Grigoryev. The sides remarked upon tight cooperation and the need to further invigorate interaction, the press service added.