BREST, 30 March (BelTA) – Belarus' exports to Russia's Penza Oblast rose by a third in 2021 over 2020. The figures were voiced during a meeting of the working group on cooperation between Belarus and the Russian region in Brest, BelTA has learned.
"Our trade is reaching a new level. Last year, it totaled $103.3 million, which was up by almost 30% year-on-year. In the pandemic year, we figured things out and continued to work," said Brest Oblast Governor Yuri Shuleiko, who oversees cooperation with Penza Oblast of Russia. Belarus' merchandise exports increased by 33%. For example, Belarus has stepped up the supply of fiberboards, cheese and cottage cheese, paper and cardboard, sheets, plastic films.
"Belarus is one of the main strategic partners for Penza Oblast. We have concluded five agreements on trade, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation. We are not going to stop there. Priority areas are agricultural engineering, automotive industry, production of household appliances, medical equipment, timber processing," said Oleg Melnichenko, Governor of Penza Oblast.
For example, Russian partners want to implement purchase public transport (buses, trolleybuses). "We would like to discuss this, taking into account the fact that Belarusian trolleybuses are among the best in the post-Soviet space," said Oleg Melnichenko.
The Russian delegation is set to visit the Brest border post and the Brest Hero Fortress memorial, and a number of enterprises, to attend a business matchmaking event for exporters of Brest Oblast and Penza Oblast. The Penza Oblast delegation will travel to Minsk on 31 March.
