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Belarus, Russia’s Sverdlovsk Oblast sign new cooperation agreement
MOSCOW, 19 April (BelTA) – Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Yuri Nazarov and Governor of Russia’s Sverdlovsk Oblast Yevgeny Kuivashev signed a new cooperation agreement in Yekaterinburg on 19 April, BelTA learned from the Sverdlovsk Oblast government website.
The agreement reflects a considerable expansion of spheres of partnership in the 20 years since the previous document was signed. The agreement was also prompted by the emergence of modern branches of the manufacturing sector and economic challenges, the Sverdlovsk Oblast government press service said.
In 2021 Belarus’ trade with Sverdlovsk Oblast reached a five-year high. Its volume increased by 61.4% from 2020 to $472 million. Manufacturing cooperation projects in mechanical engineering and power engineering were the largest initiatives of the last few years. Those included the development of an engine for BelAZ trucks by the Ural diesel engine plant, the provision of Sverdlovsk Oblast’s major mining companies with Belarusian haul trucks, and the provision of Belarusian power engineering facilities and installations with steam equipment made by Ural Turbine Works.
Sverdlovsk Oblast Governor Yevgeny Kuivashev said that the new agreement meets modern reality and encompasses the most promising spheres of interaction such as information technologies, digital economy, ecology, and many other ones. “It is symbolical that we’ve signed the agreement in the year of the 30th anniversary since diplomatic relations were established between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus,” he said.
According to Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Yuri Nazarov, manufacturing cooperation and the manufacturing of joint products for selling them to third countries may become one of the important areas for advancing cooperation. The removal of COVID-19 restrictions and the launch of direct air service between Minsk and Yekaterinburg will contribute to a substantial increase in business activity.
Yuri Nazarov said: “On the one hand, time is very complicated today. On the other hand, it opens a window of opportunities. Sverdlovsk Oblast is a priority trade partner for us among Russian regions. But today simply buying or selling something is not important. Manufacturing something together is. Last year in addition to preserving positive dynamics of trade and economic relations we managed to substantially improve it. We have all the conditions for establishing long-term cooperation and counteracting the sanctions-fueled pressure of certain countries.”
According to Yevgeny Kuivashev, Belarus is a reliable and tested friend for Sverdlovsk Oblast. “We highly appreciate the support of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko for the advancement of cooperation with our region. We are sincerely grateful for an opportunity to have a direct dialogue with the head of state during my visits to Minsk. The history of cooperation between Sverdlovsk Oblast and Belarus is filled with dozens of successfully implemented projects in manufacturing sector, agriculture, science, education, and culture. Undoubtedly, the advancement of manufacturing cooperation is the key direction for us. A lot has already been accomplished. I am convinced that our partnership will gain pace. We have all the conditions for it,” he stressed.
The governor went on saying that the work of diplomatic services plays a special role in the enhancement of bilateral contacts. Sverdlovsk Oblast’s government regularly compares cooperation plans with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Vladimir Semashko. The Yekaterinburg-based branch of the Belarusian embassy in Russia has made a large contribution to the development of the partnership.
The fifth session of the Belarus-Sverdlovsk Oblast Business Cooperation Council took place today. It is collegial body established in 2011. It includes representatives of government agencies, enterprises, and business associations. The session’s agenda included matters concerning the development of previous projects. New projects were also discussed, for instance, digital solutions for various areas. Apart from that, representatives of Belarusian light industry companies came to the Middle Urals for the first time. Minutes of the session confirm the sides are ready to step up mutual trade, advance manufacturing cooperation, realize joint scientific and innovative projects, and advance investment cooperation.
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