Business news

MINSK, 7 February (BelTA) – Belarus hopes for a considerable increase in the mutual trade with Kostroma Oblast, the Russian Federation, said Lilia Ananich, Information Minister, Head of the Working Group on Belarus-Kostroma Oblast Cooperation, during a working meeting with Kostroma Oblast Governor Sergei Sitnikov, BelTA has learned.

“If we talk about our economic performance in 2016, we cannot be fully satisfied with the results. At least Belarus believes that the cooperation potential of Belarus and Kostroma Oblast is much higher than those slightly above $77 million we currently have in our trade and economic partnership,” said Lilia Ananich. She expressed hope that the visit of the delegation from Kostroma Oblast and the forthcoming meetings would promote cooperation in various fields.

The Belarusian part of the Working Group on Belarus-Kostroma Oblast Cooperation held a meeting prior to the visit of the Russian delegation. The bilateral cooperation potential was analyzed in detail. According to the minister, the capacities in the industrial cooperation are huge.

Matters pertaining to the trade and economic cooperation were discussed in the government with the participation of a number of ministries, including the Industry Ministry, the Agriculture Ministry, and the National Academy of Sciences. Almost every ministry has a package of mutual interests. Thus, Belarus has interesting proposals from its Belgospishcheprom and Bellegprom Concerns. The two regions have also a potential to develop cooperation in the agrarian and construction sectors. According to Lilia Ananich, the parties should organize a regular exchange of information, i.e. to inform each other on the planned projects and the needs in products.

The minister also said that the visit of the Kostroma Oblast delegation would lay a foundation of long-term cooperation. The two parties should outline concrete positions in the documents that are to be signed to step up intergovernmental cooperation.

According to Lilia Ananich, Belarus attaches great attention to the development of cooperation with the Russian regions. In 2016 important steps were made to strengthen trade and economic cooperation. A number of contacts were established and a number of projects were considered. “We are looking into the projects, programs which can bring results for both Belarus and Kostroma Oblast,” the minister said.

Sergei Sitnikov noted that Belarus produce a lot of products that are import-substituting with relation to supplies from Europe, China. “We were highly interested in seeing the Amkodor lineup today,” the Governor said. He added that Kostroma Oblast is interested in the Belarusian equipment.