Business news

MINSK, 20 September (BelTA) – The idea to develop direct cooperation with Russian regions has brought results, Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich said in an interview to the RTR-Belarus TV channel to discuss the Second Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, BelTA informs.

According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, the idea to directly cooperate with Russian regions, and not to decide matters via the Kremlin, was brought up by the President of Belarus long time ago. “It has brought results. A schedule of visits of Russian regions to our country has already been developed,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich. He added that about half of agreements are signed between the Belarusian government and Russian regions.

In his words, innovative products account for 20% of the Belarusian export to Russia. When asked on the possible re-export of sanctioned products to Russia, Mikhail Myasnikovich explained: “Our customs, our interior bodies have arrested twice as many sanctioned goods as their Russian counterparts did.”

Mikhail Myasnikovich noted that Belarus intends to get Russian regions interested in closer and mutually beneficial cooperation. Belarus aims at securing the sales growth through the development of joint assembly plants. In his words, the Russian import-substitution program opens new niches for Belarus. However, Belarus is not viewed as a co-contractor in the program. Mikhail Myasnikovich has already discussed the matter at the meeting with Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko.

The Second Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia took place in Sochi on 17-18 September. The main theme of the forum was the industrial policy of the Union State.