MOSCOW, 19 September (BelTA) – Direct air service may be established between Minsk and the Russian city of Mineralnyye Vody. The possibility was discussed at a regular session of the working group on Belarus' cooperation with Russia's Stavropol Territory. The session was chaired by Belarusian Deputy Industry Minister Aleksandr Ogorodnikov and Stavropol Territory Vice Governor Nikolai Afanasov in Stavropol, the press service of the Belarusian embassy in Russia told BelTA.
Participants of the session discussed the organization of direct air service between Belarus and Stavropol Territory. It was noted that due to steadily rising tourist traffic between Minsk and Mineralnyye Vody and due to Moscow airports operating under extreme workload it may be advisable to add a regular flight between Minsk and Mineralnyye Vody to the list of flights available from the Belarusian air carrier Belavia. If it is done, the Minsk National Airport could be used as a transit destination for passengers from Stavropol Territory. And tourists from Belarus could use direct flights to sanatoriums and mountain ski resorts in Stavropol Territory.
The meeting also focused on the development of joint business. The Belarusian side spoke highly of Stavropol Territory's investment potential. Possible options were suggested for building joint ventures in the Russian region to make and provide maintenance of Belarusian agricultural machines and other vehicles and machines. Besides, Belarusian lifts are widely used in the region. The construction of a joint venture to make them and provide maintenance could benefit businessmen of both countries.
The governments of Belarus and Russia's Stavropol Territory signed a cooperation agreement in 2017. In January-July 2019 foreign trade volume totaled $63.3 million. Stavropol Territory exports chemical products and agricultural products. Belarus exports agricultural machines and spare parts for them.
