BREST, 14 November (BelTA) – The trade between Belarus and Irkutsk Oblast expanded by 33.4% in January-August. Trade matters were discussed at the third session of the working group on cooperation between Belarus and the Russian region in Brest on 14 November, BelTA has learned.
Brest Oblast Governor Anatoly Lis who co-chairs the working group praised the dynamics of trade and economic cooperation. “The increase in trade by over 30% speaks volumes. In January-August it exceeded $67 million. There is still room for growth; therefore we set a task to reach $100 million by the yearend. The most important achievement is diversification of mutual supplies. We are closer to the establishment of joint ventures. It is very important to move from trade in raw materials to trade in finished products and services,” he said.
Belarus has a trade surplus, with exports to Irkutsk Oblast estimated at $37.7 million in January-August, up 119% over the same period a year before. This year BelAZ exported over 30 dump trucks to the tune of $20 million to this Russian region, a sharp increase from the previous years. At the same time, the import of products made from non-ferrous metals from Irkutsk Oblast nearly doubled. Apart from direct supplies, the parties are promoting cooperation in the manufacturing sector. A joint venture to assemble elevators Mogilevliftmash-Usolye was set up in the town of Usolye-Sibirskoye. The Amkodor holding company also supplies its machinery to the region. The parties are considering a possibility to open maintenance and repair centers there. The STiM company has also established close cooperation with Irkutsk business community: the company supplies innovative materials and machinery for road surface marking.
According to Irkutsk Oblast Governor Sergei Levchenko, Angara Region makes a considerable contribution to Russia-Belarus trade. “Over the two years since the working group on cooperation was set up, we have made considerable progress. We have discussed establishment of concrete production facilities today. Apart from that, we should also streamline commodity supply channels. Many products that Irkutsk Oblast buys from Belarus, including Brest Oblast, travel through other regions and other companies. They are not included in our trade figures. I think we should streamline the process and reduce the number of intermediaries in order to lower prices and speed up delivery of products. Direct supplies will benefit everyone, both consumers and producers,” he emphasized.
According to the parties, the most promising areas of cooperation include deep timber processing and furniture production, as well as agriculture. A joint trading house is also under discussion.
Participants of the working group signed a protocol of intent on cooperation between the sport and tourism department of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee and the tourism agency of Irkutsk Oblast. A cooperation agreement was signed between Gomselmash and Irkutsk Oblast Agriculture Ministry.
