MINSK, 27 June (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia’s Samara Oblast have every opportunity to reach $1 billion in mutual trade, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Samara Oblast Governor Dmitry Azarov on 27 June, BelTA has learned.
“Without going into statistics, I want to say: there are all opportunities to reach $1 billion in mutual trade. We just need to fulfill what we previously agreed on at various levels. Today life itself pushes us to this and shows us the right way, maybe the only possible way. We have to rely on ourselves,” the Belarusian leader said.
He said Belarus was ready to significantly increase the supplies of the most modern automotive, agricultural, road construction, municipal and logging equipment to Russia.
“I am sure that we can agree on the terms of supply, service, and financial support. Recent months have proved it,” the president said.
“Although prices have gone up this year for reasons beyond our control, Belarus’ imports from your region have almost remained at the same level. We started buying more sunflower oil, copper wire, and bearings. It is by no means a complete list of the products we can purchase from you. We hope that your visit to Belarus will help balance the trade. Everyone will benefit from it,” the head of state said.
The search for new opportunities to expand industrial cooperation is of utmost importance. “We need full interest from both the parties. Jobs need to be created both in Belarus and Samara Oblast,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Another area of cooperation is technology transfer and export of services.