Opinions & Interviews

MOSCOW, 28 September (BelTA) – Belarus and Moscow should restore peak figures of mutual trade. Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov made the statement while talking about results of negotiations with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on 28 September, BelTA has learned.

Andrei Kobyakov said that Belarus-Moscow trade has recently increased in physical terms yet the figures have dropped a bit in U.S. dollar terms. “It is necessary to restore peak volumes of trade that totaled $5 billion in 2013,” said the Prime Minister of Belarus.

The Prime Minister noted that Belarus’ food export to Moscow has increased greatly, with $500 million worth of Belarusian food shipped to Moscow in January-July 2015. It is a considerable volume, he noted.

During the talks Andrei Kobyakov and Sergei Sobyanin discussed trade and economic cooperation in detail. Close attention was paid to the advancement of cooperation via new projects and new technologies. The provision of services was mentioned among other things. As an example Andrei Kobyakov mentioned the Belarusian side could take over the management of a Moscow tram depot or a trolleybus depot, outfit it with Belarusian technologies, and generate the relevant profits. Belarusian vehicles with special batteries that store energy and allow vehicles to move for quite lengthy distances without contacting the power grid can be utilized. Apart from that, the Belarusian side suggested using vehicles powered by gas engine fuel. A number of other options were mentioned as well. Moscow took an interest in these projects, mentioned the Prime Minister.

During the talks Sergei Sobyanin accepted the invitation to visit Minsk and learn more about the Belarusian experience of running the city infrastructure and the utilities industry.

Andrei Kobyakov noted that apart from trade and economic cooperation Belarus and Moscow work to implement social and cultural programs. Muscovites are intent on productive cooperation with Belarus, concluded the Prime Minister.