Business news

MINSK, 22 May (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia’s Samara Oblast hope to exceed $600 million worth of bilateral trade, Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusy said at the session of the joint working group to discuss the development of cooperation between Belarus and Samara Oblast on 22 May, BelTA has learned.

“The government of Belarus and the administration of Samara Oblast are convinced that it is essentials to reach the level of 2012 as soon as possible, i.e. the bilateral trade exceeding $600 million,” Mikhail Rusy noted. “We have already made certain progress, the trade turnover went up 16% last year. There was positive dynamics in Q1 2017 as well.”

According to the vice premier, Belarus and Samara Oblast need to step up efforts to develop cooperation ties. “It is needed to change approaches and advance to cooperation ties from the buy-and-sell principle. By the way, we have promising industries in this regard. These include petrochemistry, rocket and missile engineering, space industry,” he explained. The sides will expand cooperation in education, healthcare, agribusiness. It will help apply new technologies and create new jobs.

Vice Governor of Russia’s Samara Oblast Igor Yeremin noted that Belarus is one of top five foreign economic partners of the region and is a partner of strategic importance. “Products of Belarusian enterprises sell well on the market of the Russian Federation, including in Samara Oblast, and this pertains to not only foodstuffs,” he stressed.

During the visit of the Samara Oblast delegation the sides have already discussed cooperation in education. “We have an opportunity to invite talented youth from Belarus to study in Samara Oblast universities absolutely for free. This pertains to various industries, including high-tech fields such as the space industry, petrochemistry, production of mineral fertilizers. We are ready to provide assistance in the training of specialists for the Belarusian economy,” Igor Yeremin continued.

Samara Oblast is, in turn, interested in the Belarusian experience of developing the housing and utilities sector, beautification of towns. “We are gearing up for the FIFA World Cup, and it is very important for us to create comfortable conditions for Russians and guests,” he emphasized.