MOSCOW, 31 March (BelTA) – Mechanisms of interaction inside the Union State of Belarus and Russia have softened the consequences of the global economic crisis. The statement was made by State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Grigory Rapota during the press conference held on 31 March, BelTA has learned.
The State Secretary noted that in 2015 Belarus-Russia trade dropped by 27%. He attributed the decline to the troubled state of economic affairs in the two countries. “I think that without smoothly operating interaction mechanisms the figures would be even more depressing. Mechanisms of interaction within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia are capable of softening the consequences of the global crisis,” said the official.
Grigory Rapota noted that despite economic difficulties the Union State budget will remain unchanged in 2016. According to the source, the fact indicates how much importance is attached to the implementation of social, economic, scientific and technical projects of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.
In his words, over 50% of the Union State money is spent on R&D programs that aim to achieve two goals: the advancement of interaction between Belarusian and Russian scientists and the creation of innovative products.
Grigory Rapota reminded that ten Union State programs were implemented in 2015, with three of them already completed. In his words, several new Union State programs are supposed to be adopted soon. The ongoing programs involve space industry, microelectronics, pharmaceutics, agriculture, biotechnologies, and nanomaterials.
