President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, at a meeting with the Governor of Russia's Amur Oblast Vasily Orlov on July 23, proposed options for cooperation in the implementation of large infrastructure projects, BELTA correspondent reports.
Welcoming the head of the Russian region in Minsk, the Head of State noted the historical community and ties with the Amur Oblast. "Thousands of kilometers separate us. But our destinies are closely intertwined by common history, selfless work, especially in restoring the national economy destroyed by the war, and the implementation of grandiose industrial, transport, and energy projects," the President said.
Alexander Lukashenko recalled that it is in this region that the "capital" of BAM is located, the 50th anniversary of which was celebrated on July 8. "This is one of the most ambitious projects in human history, and 60,000 Belarusians participated in the construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline," the Head of State pointed out.
Currently, large-scale infrastructure projects are also being implemented in the Amur Oblast, and the President mentioned some of them: the Vostochny Cosmodrome has been built, gas chemical giants are under construction - the Amur Gas Chemical Complex and the Amur Gas Processing Plant, and a liquefied natural gas complex. For example, one of these large projects is being implemented in Blagoveshchensk, which has been actively developing recently. The construction site of the "Far Eastern Quarter" involves the construction of about 334,000 square meters of housing in the city.
"This means that the work, possibly, of Belarusian builders will also be in demand somewhere," said Alexander Lukashenko.
The region's plans to increase mineral extraction allow for the expectation of continued supplies of BELAZ quarry trucks, the President noted.
The Head of State also proposed a cooperation option in the field of electric charging infrastructure equipment. Currently, the Amur Oblast exports electricity.
"The intensive development of electric transport in neighboring China will soon cross the Amur River and will require a more dynamic development of special electric charging infrastructure, the component elements of which are produced by us and have been successfully operated for more than five years," said Alexander Lukashenko.
Regarding the agro-industrial complex, the President noted the interest of Belarusian agricultural scientists in the Amur region's projects for modernising the material and technical and technological base of crop production, livestock farming, crop breeding, and the processing industry. "Belarus has serious competencies in this regard," he stressed.
"The natural potential of the region allows for significant diversification of the range of agricultural products grown. And we are ready to support you in this. In addition, agricultural machinery, including tractor units, grain and forage harvesters, and attachments for them, as well as equipment for livestock and dairy farms, will be of assistance," the Head of State emphasised.
Alexander Lukashenko also outlined Belarus's opportunities for increasing exports to the Amur region of all in-demand food products, including juices and baby food, and other necessary goods.
"At the same time, it is possible to establish a Belarusian trading house in the region to arrange and organise direct supplies of our food products to the region for the needs of social institutions, as well as retail trade," the President added.
The Head of State noted that he had voiced far from a complete list of areas where a certain foundation had already been laid.
"But we are open to further cooperation on the widest range of goods and services," Alexander Lukashenko assured. "Your wishes will certainly be taken as a signal to act." The President stressed Belarus's readiness to provide all possible assistance and support to this Russian region, which is geographically distant for Belarusians, but absolutely not alien.
In turn, Vasily Orlov noted that trade turnover between the parties is growing. "But we believe there is still room for growth. We have several proposals, we have already met with your team, and worked very effectively," the governor noted.
Machinery of Belarusian production, both agricultural and industrial, is in demand in the Amur region. "For example, in our agriculture, 40% of tractors are of Belarusian production and 25% of harvesters are also. We consider it expedient to offer our Belarusian friends to create a multi-brand centre for such machinery in the Amur region. It could cover neighbouring regions as well," Vasily Orlov stated.
Furthermore, this Russian region is interested in cooperation in the agro-industrial complex and deep processing of products. According to the governor, there are also good opportunities for developing cooperation in the mining industry and woodworking.
"We are also open to joint ventures. We are ready to provide all necessary support measures from the region. We also have a territory of advanced development operating under Russian legislation, which provides benefits for investors. And a document on the creation of international territories of advanced development is at the final stage in the Russian government," Vasily Orlov invited.
One opportunity for cooperation already lies in the transport and logistics sector, considering the extensive border of the Amur region with China. "We have accumulated colossal experience working with China. Several transport and logistics routes have been established. In particular, we are promoting the 'Amur Corridor' project. We also invite Belarusian partners and investors," said the governor.
He confirmed that the gas cluster is currently being intensively developed in the Amur region, which consists of two major projects - a gas processing plant and a petrochemical complex - being implemented by Gazprom and SIBUR. "Based on these two enterprises, it is planned to build an industrial park, to which we also invite Belarusian investors," stated the head of the region.
Another topic discussed at the meeting was cultural exchanges. Primarily, the focus is intended to be on the exchange of children's delegations and the preservation of common historical memory.
"We have completed the second phase of the Vostochny Cosmodrome construction. And this year, a heavy-class rocket, Angara, was launched. In addition, our geographical location allows children to visit two states at once on a single trip – both Russia and China. We discussed this with the President. Alexander Grigoryevich supported this," Vasily Orlov said, detailing the meeting.
According to him, Belarusian specialists also participated in the construction of the cosmodrome, and there is potential for more active cooperation in this regard. "Several student teams worked there. The cosmodrome is a project that will last for many years to come. Only the second phase has been completed there today. Several more phases are planned for the future. These will include, among other things, the construction of a launch pad for a super-heavy class rocket and for manned launches. Therefore, I am confident that all the agreements reached between the presidents have a chance to be fully implemented," the governor stated.
belta.by