Belarus is ready to increase supplies to the Astrakhan region in order to balance the trade balance. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on May 2 at a meeting with the Governor of the Astrakhan region of Russia Igor Babushkin, Belta correspondent reports.
Welcoming the head of the region, Alexander Lukashenko noted that Igor Babushkin had visited Belarus more than once, knows the country and its capabilities well, and therefore he is "a long-time welcome guest" here. "When the governor visits us from Russia again, I highly appreciate it - it means he has issues here and it means we can cooperate more deeply in some areas. Therefore, I am very glad that you and your colleagues have come to Belarus, and we will do everything to ensure that your wishes are fulfilled," the President assured.
"We will do everything we can for your region, and therefore for Russia," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. - I promised this to President Putin, including during negotiations in the Volgograd region. For many reasons, we are obliged and must cooperate and move forward together to ensure our technological sovereignty (it is fashionable to say now). So that people understand that we can do it ourselves, we can do our own. We agreed on this with the President. Therefore, in this regard, we are ready to work together with the Russian Federation first of all."
On the intention to balance the foreign trade balance
The head of state, speaking about trade and economic cooperation with the Russian region, noted that the balance is not yet in favor of Belarus. "We will strive to balance the balance," the President said.
"No, we will not go the American way, and neither will you," Alexander Lukashenko added, hinting at the recent decisions of US President Donald Trump to significantly increase duties for a number of countries, which have often been discussed recently. - Thank God Donald realized that things are not done that way in economics."
"We are ready to cooperate in order to increase the flow of our goods to your region, in order to balance the trade balance," the head of state emphasized and named the main areas where the parties can develop cooperation.
On the supply of agricultural and passenger machinery
The discussion, in particular, concerned the expansion of the range and sales volumes of Belarusian agricultural machinery and mounted equipment for domestic tractors to the Astrakhan region, as a significant number of these tractors are used in the fields of this Russian region. It is logical that plows and other trailed and mounted equipment for tractors are necessary for agricultural work, and Belarus is ready to offer a wide range of such equipment. "I must tell you that we have no competitors in the Astrakhan region in terms of quality and price," the President noted.
According to him, there is demand for such products, especially from African countries, so there are no excess stocks in warehouses. However, if necessary, Belarusian enterprises are ready to produce the required volumes for the Russian side. "We will always produce for Russia. We will always produce the necessary trailed equipment for tractors and agricultural machinery for you, whether it's a third or fifth shift," said Alexander Lukashenko.
The President named the supply of passenger transport as another area for developing cooperation. "Even distant foreign countries are focusing not on personal transport, but on buses and passenger transport. Buses, trolleybuses, trams – we produce all of this. They are of very high quality and have a decent appearance. If you and your specialists are interested, take a look at our finished products," the head of state suggested. "If anything interests you, show us, and we will work together to solve any given problem."
On food exports
The situation with food supplies, including baby food, is similar to that of agricultural machinery. "We are always ready to supply you according to your orders," the President said on this topic.
Alexander Lukashenko separately touched upon the operation of "Babushkina Krynka," one of the leading Belarusian milk processing enterprises, in the Astrakhan region. The discussion concerned the construction of a milk processing plant in this region and the search for an investor for this project. "If you are still interested in this, tell us who your investor will be. We are ready to work, and 'Babushkina Krynka' confirms this commitment," the President said.
On elevator modernization
The President noted that at the request of the Russian side, Belarus has significantly increased the supply of elevators and related equipment. "Now, all post-Soviet states are being re-equipped with elevator equipment (it was mainly from Russia and Belarus at that time). We have preserved the plant. We can make everything for you, from elevators to escalators – whatever you like," said Alexander Lukashenko. "You can be sure that in this regard, we will continue to be of interest to you and will do everything to ensure that this equipment is supplied to you."
On land reclamation and cargo transportation through the port
The President drew attention to the extensive experience of the Astrakhan region in land reclamation. As is known, Belarus is also actively working in this direction and is ready to adopt best practices as well as share its own developments. "We are also a country of meliorators, so to speak. We are working very seriously now. If there is a need, you tell us, we will agree and will try to work in your region and attract your experience to Belarus," said Alexander Lukashenko.
In addition, the President expressed the interest of the Belarusian side in transporting goods through the ports in the Astrakhan region. "We have an interest. We are working with you in this regard. There is a greater interest. If you provide us with support and give your consent, we will gladly work through the Astrakhan ports," he noted.
The list provided by the Head of State, of course, does not include all areas of mutual interest; there are many more. Therefore, the President proposed that the head of the Russian region familiarize himself more thoroughly with Belarus's potential during the visit and emphasized the readiness to develop cooperation in the areas of interest.
The trade turnover between Belarus and the Astrakhan region reached its peak in 2022 over the last five years, amounting to $62 million. According to data for 2024, this figure stood at almost $47 million, an increase of 13% compared to 2023. Belarusian exports have remained within the range of $12.3 million to $13 million over the last three years.
In January-February of this year, the mutual volume of goods trade exceeded $9 million, which is 72% more than in the same period last year, and exports amounted to $2 million, doubling.
Belarus primarily supplies the Russian region with machinery and devices for lifting, moving, unloading, and loading, aluminum bars and profiles, timber, and products made of cement, concrete, or artificial stone. From the Astrakhan region, our country receives sulfur, flat-rolled products, and other steel products, fish, and tomatoes.