Dmitry Krutoi. An archive photo
VLADIMIR, 4 March (BelTA) – Belarus and Vladimir Oblast demonstrate vivid examples of import-substituting projects and the counteraction of sanctions. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Dmitry Krutoi made the statement after negotiations with Governor of Russia’s Vladimir Oblast Aleksandr Avdeyev in the city of Vladimir on 4 March, BelTA has learned.
Dmitry Krutoi said: “In the last two years Belarus and Vladimir Oblast came up with vivid examples of counteracting the policy of sanctions and of successful realization and execution of import-substitution projects. Our steel mill BMZ, which traditionally works on European markets, did not expect that it would be able to successfully compete in Russia and would be able to sell seamless pipes, metal wire or other kinds of metal products to major Vladimir enterprises. Wagon manufacturing is an absolutely interesting new niche. Our Mogilev-based plant ships intermediate products to Vladimir Oblast where final vehicles are assembled.”
Pharmaceutics is a promising avenue of cooperation. Before the negotiations with the governor Dmitry Krutoi had visited the local innovative pharmaceutical company Generium. “Pharmaceutics is a crucial industry for Belarus. Shipments to Belarus have dropped, including shipments from Western countries. In these conditions it is a key task for us to find competences and investment projects with major players in order to develop the Belarusian pharmaceutical industry,” the ambassador stressed.
“Minsk Motor Plant has started shipping its engines. Mogilevliftmash has found partners in Vladimir Oblast and has organized shipments of electric motors for assembling all kinds of vehicles and machines starting with frontal loaders and ending with municipal vehicles. We have tens of examples like that today. Our company Pozhsnab makes firefighting vehicles and equipment for dealing with emergencies. The company will now actively penetrate the Vladimir Oblast market,” the ambassador noted.
Some headway has been made into cooperation in glass industry and furniture industry in order to successfully compete with Asian manufacturers. “So these are new niches and new topics where we will greatly increase trade turnover. I think up to $1 billion,” Dmitry Krutoi is convinced.
“There are plans to not only build new educational facilities in Vladimir Oblast soon. There are also plans for modernization and major overhaul of existing ones. The governor called upon Belarusian civil engineering companies to submit their proposals and participate in tenders,” the diplomat added.
“It is necessary to be spry and actively participate in projects. Vladimir Oblast’s location is convenient from the point of view of logistics. It is close to us. Prospects of cooperation here are great taking into account the region’s potential,” the Belarusian ambassador concluded.
