Belarus and Bashkortostan have all the necessary prerequisites to increase trade turnover this year and surpass $320 million. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on February 7 at a meeting with the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan of the Russian Federation Radiy Khabirov, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Head of State emphasized that good relations have been established between Belarus and the Russian region, and there are a number of joint technological projects. "But, frankly speaking, we slowed down a bit last year (perhaps the statistics do not provide entirely accurate information). We decreased trade turnover by about 5-6%," said Alexander Lukashenko. "We are simply obliged to increase this trade turnover this year and surpass the $315-320 million that we have achieved."
The President noted that interaction has been established at the bilateral level in many areas, and there is good potential for its enhancement. "It is comfortable and very beneficial for us to cooperate, because your republic is the European center of the Russian Federation, the most advanced, developed center, if we consider the regions as a whole. Therefore, it is beneficial for us to cooperate with you and work together," the Head of State noted.
For example, the parties are already working closely in mechanical engineering, and there is a joint venture for the assembly and sale of tractors. Belarus supplies units and components for tractors to the Russian region, where they are assembled with the addition of certain parts, resulting in in-demand products. "There is very good demand for it," the President remarked.
The cooperation between Belarusian MAZ and the Ufa Tram and Trolleybus Plant is also developing successfully. While in 2020-2022 they produced 20 to 60 trolleybuses annually, in 2023-2024, they are already producing over 300 units per year. "These are good rates. I think we need to develop this area of cooperation," said Alexander Lukashenko. Continuing the topic, he noted that Belarus is ready for joint work on the restoration of trams using bodies from Belkommunmash. "If this is needed, there will be no delay on our part," the President assured.
"This is by no means charity on our part. For us, this is an extremely beneficial option for cooperation. We are ready to continue working with you in the areas we have," the Head of State emphasized.
Separately, Alexander Lukashenko mentioned Belarus's plans to open an "AMKODOR" production and service center in Ufa. "Machinery will always be needed, especially for such a vast Russia. You are building roads, well done, both federal and regional. And machinery is indispensable. We can fully meet the demand for this machinery and work together, initially on assembly, and then on joint production of machinery similar to "AMKODOR" using these technologies," the President proposed.
The meeting also touched upon food products, a traditional Belarusian export item. However, this topic is not as relevant for Bashkortostan, as the region has a well-developed agricultural sector. "Your republic is excellently developed in this regard. Both you and Tatarstan are seriously involved in agriculture. Nevertheless. If you have a need for food products, please, let's discuss this topic. It is very important now," said the head of state. "We are happy to work with you."
Alexander Lukashenko noted that Belarus and Bashkortostan had carried out joint work in the field of drones for the agro-industrial complex. In this regard, the President proposed to continue and expand cooperation: "We have experience, we have certain developments. The market is good today. I think we need to move in this direction."
The same applies to cooperation in the light industry. "Fabrics, knitwear, garment products, footwear, carpets, workwear, and other goods – we know how to make everything a person needs for clothing (and footwear). And if you need not only our goods, but also our technologies, we will be happy to work with you," the President remarked.
Characterizing the relations with the Russian region as a whole, the head of state once again emphasized Belarus's interest in developing joint work across a wide range of areas. "Bashkortostan is a very important region of Russia for us, with which we would like to cooperate. Firstly, it is very developed and advanced. Secondly, it is the center of the European territory of Russia, and by working in your region, we can consider ourselves to be working in neighboring regions as well. If we agree on any issues, do not doubt that we will definitely fulfill our obligations," Alexander Lukashenko stressed.
In turn, Radiy Khabirov thanked for the warm welcome and the opportunity to discuss cooperation prospects. Taking the opportunity, he congratulated Alexander Lukashenko on his convincing victory in the elections: "We believe that this is a very important event not only for Belarus but also for our states."
Radiy Khabirov emphasized that Belarus is not just a foreign economic partner for Bashkortostan, but a fraternal republic. For years, significant volumes of various Belarusian equipment have been purchased, service centers have been developed, and this work will continue. Cooperation in the petrochemical industry is also developing well, and Belarusian food products have confidently won the sympathy of the residents of Bashkortostan.