Opinions & Interviews

Andrei Kobyakov believes that there is untapped potential for restoring Belarus-Sverdlovsk Oblast trade which exceeded $0.5 billion several years ago. “For this purpose, we suggest determining the main areas of collaboration. Trade cooperation should be one of them. Today Belarus is ready to offer Sverdlovsk Oblast modern road, construction and utility vehicles. “In recent years, we have been developing the production of this equipment focusing on the needs of the Russian market. We are ready to contribute to the effort in Sverdlovsk Oblast to upgrade the fleets of passenger transport for city and inter-city service and can offer modern buses, trolley-buses, and trams. We would like to draw your attention to innovative urban electric transport with the use of supercapacitors. These are e-buses and trolleybuses and also high-speed trams,” Andrei Kobyakov said. Belarus is prepared to offer leasing or concessional lending programs for these and other projects.

Belarus is also ready to expand cooperation in the agricultural sector. “This is the most important sector of the economy both in Belarus and in Sverdlovsk Oblast. In many ways, we can complement each other. Belarus has advanced technologies of production and processing of agricultural products,” the prime minister said. Belarusian enterprises produce a wide range of equipment for the needs of the agricultural industry and is ready to offer modern tractors and forage harvesters and provide maintenance services.

Belarus sees good prospects for cooperation in construction and housing and utility services. “We know that Sverdlovsk Oblast attaches great attention to the development of the construction industry and utilities and housing sector. Belarusian enterprises have gained good experience of designing and building various facilities in the Russian regions, primarily housing (for example, there is a Belarusian neighborhood in Kaluga Oblast; a similar project is underway in Leningrad Oblast) and also in road construction. We are interested in participating in such projects in Sverdlovsk Oblast as well,” Andrei Kobyakov said.

In addition, the parties will develop cooperation in science and education qithin the framework of the agreements between the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Ural branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Thanks to the joint scientific work in engineering, innovation and nano-technology, the two parties will be able to implement new solutions at industrial enterprises.

“We are prepared to discuss any initiatives which will help us move towards the mutually advantageous and equitable integration in industry and innovation, and promote our cooperation in trade, economy, science, education and culture,” the prime minister said.

Andrei Kobyakov thanked Evgeny Kuivashev and the government of Sverdlovsk Oblast for practical assistance in the project to manufacture and install the monument to People's Artist of the USSR and Belarus Vladimir Mulyavin.

Evgeny Kuivashev believes that the monument to Vladimir Mulyavin, which was unveiled in Minsk on 17 August, will be another symbol of the shared culture of the two countries. He noted that the monument is the gift from Sverdlovsk Oblast to Minsk for its 950th anniversary.