Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich and Governor of Russia’s Kirov Oblast Alexander Sokolov have discussed promising areas of cooperation.
Viktor Karankevich remarked that robust and dynamic cooperation with Russian regions is a priority for Belarus, with direct contacts between senior executives ensuring effective trade and economic interaction.
The deputy prime minister thanked the governor for his personal commitment to developing relations and for dedicating significant resources to strengthening economic ties. “This is confirmed by your third working visit to the Republic of Belarus as head of the region in just 1.5 years. We are also hosting a substantial delegation that has shown particular interest in our country,” said Viktor Karankevich.
He added that representatives of Kirov Oblast had recently attended the INNOPROM.Belarus exhibition, where they received comprehensive information about Belarus’ potential and held talks with leadership of the Industry Ministry and other government agencies, and heads of companies and organizations. “Our goal now is to translate today’s arrangements into concrete proposals. Kirov Oblast is an important and promising trade partner for us within the Russian Federation. Our trade turnover over the past 11 months was approximately $108 million, but we are confident that the existing potential will allow us to significantly increase this volume. There are specific objectives that have already been discussed at the level of our head of state,” he noted.
According to Viktor Karankevich, negotiations during the ongoing visit would provide additional momentum for mutually beneficial cooperation. “In this regard, I see the primary task as making effective use of existing opportunities and pursuing untapped areas of cooperation, like mechanical engineering, passenger vehicle supplies, elevator equipment modernization, agricultural industry and forestry, sharing experience in solid municipal waste management, and peat processing, which is an interesting new field,” the deputy prime minister noted.
The parties plan to discuss upgrading Kirov Oblast’s passenger transport fleet using MAZ and Belkommunmash buses and trolleybuses, which have proven themselves in the Russian market. Also on the agenda are financial mechanisms for supporting export, which could facilitate mutually beneficial relations. “We can expand supplies of agricultural, forestry, and household equipment, as well as road construction and elevator equipment, which are in high demand in the region. This includes well-known Belarusian brands such as MTZ, Bobruiskagromash, MAZ, Amkodor, and BelAZ. Our products come with modern, high-quality service,” said Viktor Karankevich.
A large-scale plan has been developed in Kirov Oblast to establish facilities for sorting and processing solid municipal waste. The deputy prime minister noted that Belarus can offer standard designs for full-cycle waste sorting and recycling plants that would optimize the collection and transportation of municipal and household waste.
Viktor Karankevich also proposed implementing projects in peat extraction and processing as a tangible opportunity to enhance cooperation in the coming years. “Belarus has strong competencies in extraction and processing, as well as in manufacturing related equipment,” he noted. “I am confident that the decisions made today will contribute to the further development of mutually beneficial relations and contacts at all levels, the implementation of agreements, an increase in trade turnover, and a boost to new joint projects.”
