Business news

MINSK, 15 November (BelTA) – Belarus has suggested implementing a pilot project of complex supply of Belarusian machinery to Irkutsk Oblast, Prime Minister Sergei Rumas said as he met with Irkutsk Oblast Governor Sergei Levchenko, BelTA has learned.

“As far as I know, you have plans to purchase modern tractors, grain and forage harvesters and are implementing a large-scale program to promote agriculture. Therefore, we suggest considering our famous companies MTZ and Gomselmash as main suppliers of farm machinery to Irkutsk Oblast. Apart from that, we would like you to have a look at our latest products – innovative electric city transport: electric buses and trolleybuses fitted with an autonomous motion system. This machinery has been successfully tested in the Russian Federation. With your support, we could carry out a pilot complex supply of Belarusian machinery,” Sergei Rumas said.

Increasing supplies of a broad range of Belarusian machinery and vehicles, agricultural products and light industry products is among the growth points of bilateral trade. Irkutsk Oblast is one of Russia’s leading regions in terms of the mining industry. “Therefore, I believe there are good cooperation prospects between our BelAZ and mining companies of your region. Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ brand) is ready to satisfy the region’s demand for CNG public transport vehicles. We are ready to offer subsidized financing for this and other projects,” the premier said.

Other promising avenues of cooperation include agriculture and forestry industry. Sergei Rumas suggested that Russian specialists use Belarus’ best practices and solutions in the agricultural industry, for example, new technology for production and processing of agricultural products, establishment of dairy complexes, and supplies of modern milking parlors.

The premier also suggested discussing a possibility of joint processing of commercial timber and Belarus’ participation in replacement and upgrade of elevators in Irkutsk Oblast, supplies of elevators for new houses, implementation of housing construction programs and supplies of Belarusian foodstuffs.

In his turn, Sergei Levchenko reaffirmed commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation. In his words, Irkutsk Oblast trades with over 100 countries worldwide. “Nevertheless Belarus remains one of our leading partners in economy, trade, science and culture,” he emphasized.

The trade between Belarus and Irkutsk Oblast reached $67.1 million in January-August 2018, up 33.4% over the same period in 2017. The export rose 2.2 times up to $37.7 million.