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Importance of Belarus-Russia business dialogue amid sanctions underscored
ST. PETERSBURG, 30 March (BelTA) - Business dialogue between Belarus and Russia is of particular importance in the context of sanctions, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said during a ceremony to open the Belarusian-Russian business forum "Belarus-St. Petersburg: A Look Into the Future", BelTA has learned.
"Business dialogue is of particular importance in the context of the Western sanctions against our states. Perhaps the acute phase will subside shortly; the business community will find opportunities to work in these conditions. Nevertheless, we all must understand that they are playing a long game against us. No one wants our states to be technological, independent, and sovereign. In these conditions, we must reassess the path of our development, and, of course, we need to rely on our own strength, on our scientific and intellectual potential. This will be our best response," Roman Golovchenko said.
He noted that in this difficult situation, business needs support from the state. Measures are being taken in Belarus and Russia at the national levels to mitigate the negative impact of the restrictive measures.
Today, at the forum, companies from Belarus and St. Petersburg have the opportunity to network, to get familiar with the range of goods, works, services, and to conclude specific contracts and contracts.
"I want the Belarusian participants to engage in the most open and substantive dialogue with Russian colleagues. I recommend paying special attention to the ways of redirecting exports from unfriendly countries and intensifying production and technological cooperation," the prime minister concluded.
In 2021 Belarus’ trade with St Petersburg totaled $1.743 billion, up by 14.5% year-on-year, with Belarus’ export up by 13.6% to $982.1 million. Belarus secured a foreign trade surplus of $220.5 million. 2021 saw an increase in shipments of hot-rolled non-alloyed steel bars, butter, frozen beef, plastic containers, condensed and powdered milk and cream, potatoes, chipboards and fiberboards, parts and accessories for automobiles and tractors.
In January 2022 Belarus’ trade with St Petersburg amounted to $122.5 million, up by 15.9% from January 2021. Belarus’ export to St Petersburg went up by 1.2% to $68.8 million. Belarus sold more cheese and cottage cheese, butter, frozen fish, complex synthetic threads, potatoes, packaging materials, poultry meat, and whole milk to St Petersburg in the period.
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