Opinions & Interviews

SMOLEVICHI, 1 November (BelTA) – Minsk Oblast is interested in fruitful cooperation with all the regions of Russia in various spheres. Minsk Oblast Governor Anatoly Isachenko made the statement as he met with representatives of Russian mass media on 1 November, BelTA has learned.

The governor said: “Russia is an important trade and economic partner of Minsk Oblast. The Russian Federation accounts for some 45% of the export. Merchandise export in January-August was close to $1.3 billion. Food, potash fertilizers, heavy vehicles sell well. We are interested in cooperation with all the regions in various spheres.”

Anatoly Isachenko said that Minsk Oblast’s share in the country’s GDP is about 16%. Minsk Oblast accounts for 19% of Belarus’ industrial output and 25% of the agricultural output. BelAZ and Belaruskali make the largest contribution to the economy. Close attention is paid to the development of small and medium business. Private companies generate about 34% of the state budget revenues.

The reporters were interested in support for large families, the unemployment level, healthcare organization, employment of foreign workforce, environmental protection, the quality of municipal roads, the structure of state budget revenues, the prime cost of housing and utility services, the accomplishment of territories, and the upkeep of social infrastructure in rural areas.

Asked about how solid municipal waste is handled in Minsk Oblast, the governor mentioned plans to build three waste processing plants in 2018. He mentioned that investors are strongly interested in such projects. Foreign companies are also eager to pour investments in agriculture, R&D projects, and the manufacturing sector.

The reporters also wondered about tourism. According to Anatoly Isachenko, Minsk Oblast offers recreation in farm tourism estates and sanatoriums. Sightseeing tours are available, including visits to the Nesvizh park and palace complex, the museum-reserve Zaslavl, the skiing resorts Logoisk and Silichi, and places of interest, which are related to Napoleon Bonaparte’s crossing of the Berezina River.

Summing up results of the meeting, the Minsk Oblast governor thanked the reporters for interesting questions and underscored the importance of this way of communication. “Media tours give us an opportunity to show the country and the region, to show what we have achieved. Good relations are evolving with Russian regions. The more their residents know about Minsk Oblast, the more actively trade and economic cooperation and tourism will develop,” noted Anatoly Isachenko.

Russian reporters are in Minsk Oblast on 31 October – 3 November. The media tour has been organized by the Standing Committee of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, the National Press Center, and the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee. Taking part in the media tour are reporters from Union State mass media, news agencies, printed and online mass media from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kaliningrad Oblast, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Bryansk Oblast, and other regions of Russia. The delegation includes about 30 people. The delegation is expected to visit a number of Belarusian companies and enterprises. The delegation was made familiar with the infrastructure and social sphere in Smolevichi District.