Lukashenko: Belarus wants to increase trade with the Kaluga region to $1 billion
Belarus aims to increase trade turnover with the Kaluga region to over $1 billion. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting with the Governor of the Kaluga region of Russia, Vladislav Shapsha, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"I will not hide it, our goal is to exceed the mark of one billion dollars in trade and achieve full balance. Minsk and Kaluga should derive maximum benefit from cooperation. As experience shows, our economies are complementary. Belarusian and Russian enterprises naturally integrate into joint production chains," Alexander Lukashenko noted.
"Industrial cooperation is in demand as never before"
According to him, this is especially in demand today when it comes to industrial cooperation, the introduction of new science-intensive technologies, and import substitution.
"We are well acquainted with your potential. We are united by positive experience in creating industrial parks and free economic zones. It is especially important to use this potential after many Western companies left Russia. We need to see how we can integrate into these structures and produce in-demand products. That is, cooperation is now very much in demand, as never before," the President emphasized.
"The construction sector is the basis of cooperation"
The construction sector forms the basis of trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and the Kaluga region today, the head of state noted. Belarusian builders are constructing housing and social facilities in the Russian region. "As I am informed, you are generally satisfied with the pace and quality of the work performed. We are ready for a thorough and substantive dialogue on this issue and will listen to any possible remarks, proposals, and wishes regarding the projects being implemented," said Alexander Lukashenko.
"Ready to meet the demand for equipment"
Belarus is also ready to meet the Kaluga region's needs for passenger, utility, and agricultural machinery. According to the President, existing financial instruments make Belarusian goods even more attractive to consumers.
"The agricultural sector is a priority"
"The sanctions confrontation initiated by the West has naturally disrupted established international logistics chains, including in the food sector. We predicted such scenarios and took the necessary steps in advance. As you know, Belarus is among the world leaders in the export of meat and dairy products. Our self-sufficiency level, based on domestic production, significantly exceeds consumption volume for almost all major food groups," the Head of State stated.
At the same time, the processing industry in the country is constantly being modernized, noted Alexander Lukashenko. In the Kaluga region, the agricultural sector is also a priority. "We are ready to provide assistance in the development of dairy farming, if necessary, to establish the supply of elite seeds of Belarusian selection, as well as high-yield feeds and premixes from BNBC – our biotechnology corporation," the President said.
"There are no closed topics between us"
Alexander Lukashenko noted that the outlined areas for cooperation are far from exhaustive. "There are no closed topics between us. We are ready to listen to all your proposals, which will be promptly put into work," he emphasized.
Following the results of 2022, the trade turnover between Belarus and the Kaluga region reached almost $654 million, a decrease of about 6% compared to 2021. At the same time, Belarus increased its exports to this Russian region by almost 70%. However, the balance for Belarus remained negative.
The Republic exported petroleum products, metal structures, furniture, dairy products, products made of cement, concrete, and artificial stone. From the Kaluga region to Belarus, propylene polymers, animal feed products, ethylene polymers, televisions, monitors and projectors, vacuum cleaners, beer, cars, non-alloy steel bars, and aluminum bars and profiles were supplied.
Source: belta.by