Business news

BREST, 26 February (BelTA) – Brest Oblast of Belarus and the Udmurt Republic of Russia are set to strengthen the bilateral cooperation. Relevant preliminary agreements were reached during the meeting of the authorities of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee with a delegation from Udmurtia on 26 February, BelTA has learned.

The Russian delegation led by Head of the Udmurt Republic Alexander Solovyev visited Brest as part of the visit to Belarus that will last till 28 February. “It was very important for us to come to Brest. The history of the city and the Brest Fortress is our common history. Besides, even today we have much in common such as well-developed agriculture and manufacturing industries. Our regions are almost equal in terms of the size of the territory and the population. I believe we have many things to share,” Alexander Solovyev noted.

The head of Udmurtia pointed out that the republic is interested in Belarusian tractors, farm machines and in Belarus’ experience in agriculture in general. Despite the fact that Udmurtia is considered to be Russia's defense shield, the region also pays special attention to its agro-industrial sector and allocates 10% of the budget for its development annually. “Today we produce 750,000 tonnes of milk per year and rank among the best ten regions of Russia. Brest Oblast produces twice as much, and this means something. If we reach the level of 1.5 million tonnes, we will be the first in Russia. This proves that we have things in common. We should only outline the areas of cooperation and work on them,” Alexander Solovyev explained.

First Deputy Chairman of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee Mikhail Yukhimuk noted that in 2014 the trade between Brest Oblast and the Udmurt Republic made up some $6.5 million. The bilateral trade is mainly Belarus’ export but for some exceptions. Brest Oblast supplies Udmurtia with fish and seafood, taps and clacks, vegetables, fruit, cattle meat, gas stoves, nonwoven fabrics, and other goods. The Belarusian region imports cosmetics and cleaning products, equipment, and monofilament thread.

“Udmurtia’s share in the total export of Brest Oblast to Russia is not big. However, I am sure that we have good prospects. We will organize meetings that will bring results. First of all, I am talking about our economic cooperation. We have a great potential for its development. The second important issue is our people. They should get to know each other better. I believe that the Izhevsk City Hall and the Brest City Hall will conclude a promising agreement that will give momentum to further development of the bilateral cooperation,” Mikhail Yukhimuk said.

The sides agreed to organize a visit of a delegation of Brest Oblast businessmen to Izhevsk in H1 2015.

After the meeting at the Brest Oblast Executive Committee, the Russian guests visited the Brest Hero Fortress memorial and laid flowers at the Eternal Flame. The delegation also visited Belarusian food manufacturers Santa Bremor and Savushkin Produkt on 26 February.