MINSK, 20 January (BelTA) - Belarus intends to increase trade with Russia's Republic of Tyva, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said as he met with the head of the Republic of Tuva Vladislav Khovalyg in Minsk on 20 January, BelTA has learned.
"Cooperation with the regions of the Russian Federation is one of the priority areas for the development of bilateral relations between Belarus and Russia. We are happy to welcome delegations from the geographically remote regions of Russia. I think your visit is very important and timely. We need to analyze the situation, identify the reasons why we have not been able to expand trade and economic cooperation with the Republic of Tyva, and make decisions to facilitate trade and, possibly, investment cooperation," Roman Golovchenko said.
He suggested mapping out the areas of further cooperation. "First of all, it is trade cooperation, which is the cornerstone of our ties with all Russian regions. It is also supplies of road, utility, construction, forestry, and passenger vehicles. We hope that the Republic of Tyva will make it to the list of our major partners," the Prime Minister said.
Roman Golovchenko also considers promising cooperation in agriculture, water supply and sanitation, design of housing and social facilities. "Our builders are actively working in a number of regions of the Russian Federation. They really like Belarusian approaches to the construction of social facilities. We work qualitatively and on schedule," he stressed.