On June 24, during a meeting with the Governor of the Leningrad Region, Alexander Drozdenko, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko outlined the prospects for cooperation with this Russian region, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"The hallmark of our meetings is always effectiveness. Everything we agree on is implemented, no matter how difficult it may be for us. This is the most important thing we strive for," said Alexander Lukashenko.
Two years ago, the parties discussed the need to increase mutual trade volumes to $1 billion. According to specialists, this benchmark is expected to be surpassed by the end of 2024.
"I think that today we need to talk, perhaps, about two billion. There must be flows, we will find such options. Moreover, there will be a serious opportunity to increase this trade turnover. We have always had problems with cargo transportation. We have finally started restoring the railways, which in Soviet times were capable of handling one and a half to two times more cargo. We will restore these railways this year, and there will be no problems with transferring cargo in the northern direction. Moreover, we have started building our own ports in your region and in Murmansk. And you cannot get there without us. Therefore, I think that we can overcome this two-billion mark in the next five-year period for sure. Our main goal is to move forward together, increasing industrial and scientific potential, and most importantly, strengthening technological sovereignty," the President emphasized.
According to him, the northern direction is key for Belarus: "We plan to do a lot in this direction and will definitely implement it, I think, with your help and support."
"On the other hand, we have always had a lively dialogue with the Leningrad Region, there are many new interesting projects and ideas, and traditional areas of cooperation have literally grown by a number of promising directions in a year," the head of state stated.
On gasification
First of all, it concerns gasification. The construction of new boiler houses powered by natural gas is planned in the Leningrad Region. Alexander Lukashenko noted that Belarus is ready to join this global project.
"We can not only supply the relevant equipment and build boiler houses, but also lay main gas pipelines and connect them to households," he said.
On infrastructure development
"As I am informed, while building centralized management, you are reforming the system of enterprises that ensure the construction and maintenance of roads. From equipment to the experience we have accumulated, we are at your disposal," the President offered.
On investment projects
Belarusian companies are also interested in participating in the implementation of large investment projects in the Leningrad Region. This primarily concerns construction services and the supply of building materials.
"Another example of our successful cooperation is the Vysotsk grain terminal in the Vyborgsky District. The project is unique. The first part has been implemented by you. I am informed that it is planned to reach full capacity by the end of this year," Alexander Lukashenko noted.
Recently, negotiations were held with the company Severnoe upravlenie stroitelstva, which is the general contractor for the construction of power units No. 3 and No. 4 of Leningrad NPP-2. Belarusian specialists have already begun working on issues of supplying a wide range of building materials and other products, the President said.
"I know there is demand for unique builders who have been trained here with the support of the Russian Federation. We will also work on this issue," the head of state promised.
On equipment supplies
Alexander Lukashenko also recalled Belarus's capabilities in supplying various types of machine-building products. "In the industrial sector, we can participate in replacing the competencies of departed Western partners. And we will gladly work with the Leningrad Region. These are people very close to us, like Belarusians. Therefore, you can count on us," the President concluded.
Alexander Drozdenko, in turn, stated that every meeting with the Belarusian leader is a new impetus and new plans for development.
"Everything you talk about at these meetings, we implement. Consistently, step by step," the governor emphasized.
As already noted, the parties planned to reach a trade turnover equivalent to $1 billion based on the results of 2023.
"We were just a little short – almost $935 million in turnover. But in the first five months, we have a growth of over 23%, meaning it's clear this figure will be surpassed. We can really see the pace increasing. And what is absolutely right – we are constantly expanding our range of cooperation," stated Alexander Drozdenko.
For example, the Leningrad Region, like Belarus, has a strong agro-industrial complex, and consequently, there is a need for equipment supplies.
"By the way, we are one of the first regions to subsidize the purchase of Belarusian equipment from our budget. We subsidize tractors by 35% of the cost, and harvesters by 40%. And if it is related to open-field vegetables and potatoes, we subsidize by 50%. The conditions are absolutely the same – for both Russian and Belarusian suppliers," the governor said.
He also noted changes in the structure of equipment purchases. If last year Belarusian equipment accounted for 21% of the total procurement volume, then in the first five months of the current year, it is already 33%.
"This means the conditions are normal and stable," concluded the head of the region.
Source: belta.by