Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 27 February (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to build up the supplies of a broad range of agricultural and road construction machinery, passenger and municipal vehicles and automobiles to the Udmurt Republic, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with head of the Udmurt Republic Alexander Solovyov on 27 February, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian leader noted that the trade between Udmurtia and Belarus had shrunk in recent years. There are some objective reasons behind it. “However, we should not be okay with it and we are not. After all, our common economic union that became operational in 2015 offers additional opportunities to boost the bilateral contacts. The union is designed to create as comfortable conditions as possible for promoting cooperation between the member states,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The President noted that Belarus and Udmurtia should unite efforts to overcome the negative trends in the bilateral trade. Alexander Lukashenko reminded that the trade was several times bigger in its heyday. “We should strive to replace the commodities we used to trade in – that was mostly the export of oil products - by the supplies of agricultural products, machinery and consumer goods. We can do that,” the President said. In his words, Belarus is ready to build up the export of a broad range of agricultural and road construction machinery, passenger transport, municipal vehicles and automobiles to the Udmurt Republic.

The President noted that Belarus produces high quality foodstuffs and light industry products. He expressed confidence that the delegation of the Udmurt Republic could see it with their own eyes during their tour to Belarusian enterprises.

“It is important to pay due attention to industrial cooperation. This way we will be able to make the most of our industrial, scientific, technological and intellectual potential and get the necessary synergic effect,” Alexander Lukashenko said. He illustrated his point by mentioning the successfully operating joint venture Udmurtagrosnab.

The head of state noted that both Belarus and Udmurtia prioritize the development of agriculture. “If you are interested, we can share best practices in growing and processing a broad range of agricultural products, including flax,” Alexander Lukashenko suggested. He believes that the two parties should establish long-term cooperation in the field of transport, road construction, municipal services and humanitarian field. “I think we should find an opportunity to advance our cooperation to a higher level in order to reverse the decline in the bilateral trade between Udmurtia and Belarus. We have a lot of common interests. We are ready to consider all the suggestions of your delegation and to come up with concrete agreements that will give a boost to the bilateral cooperation,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The President believes that the visit of the delegation will have a positive impact on the relations between Belarus and Udmurtia. The head of state guaranteed that Belarus will do its utmost to fulfill earlier arrangements.