Business news

MINSK, 27 February (BelTA) – A joint session of the Belarusian and Russian agriculture ministries may take place in Minsk before 10 March, Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats told reporters on 27 February, BelTA informs.

“We suggest holding a joint session of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry and the Russian Agriculture Ministry in Minsk before 10 March. We have already sent a corresponding proposal to the agriculture minister of Russia,” the Belarusian minister said.

Leonid Zayats explained that the session will traditionally focus on the delivery of products to the markets of Belarus and Russia. “We have already had preliminary negotiations. As a result, the volume of delivery Belarusian meat and meat products as well as dairy products to the Russian market in 2017 is increasing,” he said. Besides, the sides will hold talks on the abolition of restrictions on the export of Belarusian products to Russia.

According to the minister, Belarus exported over $3 billion worth of foodstuffs to Russia in 2016. “The volume went up $16 million over the level of 2015. There was positive dynamics in the foreign currency earnings from export operations in January 2017. The foreign currency earnings went up 24%. This figure would be even higher if all enterprises delivered products to the Russian market,” he stressed and reminded that 11 dairy companies are not allowed to export their products to Russia today.

A question-and-answer session with Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats took place at the editor’s office of the Selskaya Gazeta newspaper on 27 February.