MINSK, 6 December (BelTA) – Russia’s Irkutsk Oblast shows interest in developing cooperation with Belarus in agriculture, industry and timber processing, Irkutsk Oblast Governor Sergei Levchenko said at the meeting with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on 6 December.
“After having seen your companies and achieved results, we would like to cooperate with your government and the Agriculture and Food Ministry to develop a number of programs on the products our region still lacks,” Sergei Levchenko said.
Partnership in the industrial sector is another promising area of cooperation. “This year we have already reoriented ourselves to your equipment which is highly competitive in both quality and productivity, and also the cost. This year we have considerably increased the deliveries of MAZ products to Irkutsk Oblast,” the Governor said.
Russia’s biggest felling area is in Irkutsk Oblast. “We have come here, together with the Forestry Minister, to consider joint projects in timber production and processing,” said Sergei Levchenko.
Irkutsk Oblast plans to establish cooperation with Belarus in the production of fresh water. “We have Lake Baikal, which accounts for 80% of fresh water in Russia. We are actively engaged in the development of the relevant infrastructure and also the issues related to water treatment, water supply and discharge. You possess rich experience and also have good lakes and equipment,” the Governor added.