President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko sees sufficient reserves for increasing trade turnover with the Omsk region of Russia. The Head of State stated this on March 25 at a meeting with the governor of this region, Vitaly Khotsenko, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The President noted that the head of the Russian region is surely well acquainted with Belarus – both with its history, famous people, industrial flagships, and the level of agricultural development.
"And we can start our work without any delay. Your visit is a vivid testimony to the fact that we can do a lot. We consider this as an interest in our country and in the future development between the two states," said the Belarusian leader.
It is known that the annual volume of bilateral trade between Belarus and the Omsk region is at least $110 million. "This is a rather modest indicator, and we must seriously improve it. There are plenty of reserves," the President assessed.
Speaking about specific growth points for trade and economic cooperation, Alexander Lukashenko first of all focused on Belarus's opportunities for cooperation in the agricultural sector.
In recent years, the Omsk region has achieved significant success in the agricultural sector and is among the leading regions in terms of agro-industrial complex production in the Siberian Federal District. The region is also one of the leaders in Russia in growing flax-long fibre.
"It is only natural that we should work together here, as, you know, this area is given great importance in Belarus," the President remarked. According to him, this attention will not wane over time, because flax is one of the national symbols of Belarus and is depicted on the country's coat of arms.
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus has all the capabilities to meet the needs of the Omsk region in modern and reliable flax harvesting equipment. "This fully applies to other brands of Belarusian mechanical engineering – tractors, harvesters, which you know well in Russia," he added.
The President said that he is informed about the work carried out by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center in the field of studying, preserving, and utilizing plant genetic resources.
"I am convinced that our scientists have work to do. The main thing is that these should not be studies for the sake of studies. The economy must receive benefits from their results annually. Moreover, we are increasing funding for these purposes within the Union State year after year," Alexander Lukashenko stressed. "I fully support such cooperation and believe that we are capable of expanding the range of variety testing for various crops."
The President named import substitution, including in agriculture, as one of the promising areas of cooperation with the Russian region. Especially since there is already a good example of bilateral cooperation. Thus, the Omsk Research Institute of Instrumentation has developed the automated management system for livestock farms "ASU-AGRO". OJSC "Gomelagrokoplekt" is currently working on implementing such a system based on Belarusian equipment. 15 units of milking equipment have already been supplied to Russia. By June of this year, after test trials, two more sets will be delivered to the Omsk region. This will be a joint product manufactured using Belarusian equipment and a management system developed by a Russian research institute, with no analogues in the post-Soviet space. According to Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus counts on Vitaly Khotsenko's support in promoting this product.
Another example of successful investment cooperation mentioned by the head of state is a joint project being implemented in Mogilev – "Omsk Carbon Mogilev".
Initially, the enterprise was focused on supplying products to Western Europe, but after the sanctions were imposed
managed to shift the sales vector to the Asian region in the shortest possible time. Export deliveries are carried out to more than 15 countries. The construction of the third and fourth technological lines is nearing completion, and their commissioning will ensure the production of 200 thousand tons of carbon black per year.
"I hope that there will be more such examples of investment cooperation between Belarus and your region," the President said.
Alexander Lukashenko cited the work of OJSC "Mogilevliftmash", a company well-known in the Russian market, as an indicative example of partnership in the housing and communal services sector. In 2023 alone, more than 300 Belarusian elevators were supplied to the Omsk region.
The President also noted the Russian region's interest in AMKODOR communal and road construction equipment. "Our enterprise is successfully implementing a number of projects, increasing the output of equipment without Western components, and is ready to deliver it in the shortest possible time," he assured.
In addition to industrial cooperation, trade, and investment, the head of state considers it important to maintain contacts between the residents of Belarus and Russian regions, and to expand cooperation in the humanitarian sphere – in culture, education, and sports.
"A special topic is joint work on preserving historical truth and memory of the Great Patriotic War. Many natives of your land took part in the defeat of the enemy. Unfortunately, they died here and are buried in Belarus. We are carrying out extensive practical work on documentation and perpetuation. We invite scientists and researchers from your region to join this important mission," the President suggested.
Summarizing the above, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized: "We are open to an absolutely substantive discussion on various issues. You can count on us in all areas of cooperation without exception. I think there is an opportunity now, both in the government and at the enterprises, if you wish to visit, to discuss these issues and make appropriate decisions."
belta.by