ST PETERSBURG, 17 July (BelTA) – Belarus and Novosibirsk Oblast of Russia are developing joint projects in biotechnology. This matter was discussed at a meeting between Belarus' Ambassador to Russia Vladimir Semashko and Novosibirsk Oblast Governor Andrei Travnikov on 17 July, BelTA has learned.
Andrei Travnikov recalled that a delegation of Novosibirsk Oblast visited Belarus at the beginning of the year. During the visit, an agreement was signed to establish twin town relations between the Gorky District Executive Committee and the administration of the Koltsovo science city. According to him, scientists of the Koltsovo Biotechnology Park and the Gorky Technopark are working on joint projects in biotechnology.
The Novosibirsk Oblast governor emphasized the region's efforts to strengthen cooperation with Belarus. He welcomed close contacts between enterprises of Novosibirsk Oblast and Belarusian manufacturers, like Minsk Automobile Plant, BelAZ and Belkommunmash.
In his turn, Vladimir Semashko drew attention to the imbalance of trade between Belarus and Novosibirsk Oblast. According to him, supplies from the Russian region significantly exceed Belarusian exports. To rectify this situation, Belarus suggests purchasing its agricultural machinery, municipal and passenger vehicles, as well as agricultural products. According to the ambassador, it is necessary to scale up cooperation in the manufacturing industry.
“Novosibirsk Oblast is one of Belarus' most important partners among Russian regions. However, the existing volume of trade lags behind the potential. Additional efforts should be taken to increase cooperation across the entire spectrum of relations. The core areas of cooperation include manufacturing and science, agriculture, construction, promotion of cooperative ties, and supply of various types of equipment," said Vladimir Semashko.
The ambassador suggested expanding cooperation in the agricultural industry, namely in livestock breeding, selective breeding of potatoes, flax and grain crops, turnkey construction of vegetable storehouses, livestock and poultry farms, and construction and development of agrotowns. The diplomat suggested considering joint production of agricultural machinery and equipment for the manufacturing and processing industries, increasing the supply of high-quality food products, primarily meat and dairy products, cheese, sausages, canned vegetables and meats, baby food, as well as a possibility of inviting Belarusian specialists to design and build housing, infrastructure, social and sports facilities, roads in Novosibirsk Oblast.
Taking part in the talks were also Belarus' ministers of industry, agriculture and food, as well as Mogilev Oblast Governor Leonid Zayats.
At the end of the meeting, the parties signed a cooperation program for the period till 2021. The action plan had been developed following the visit of the Novosibirsk Oblast delegation to Belarus in January this year, Andrei Travnikov told reporters after his talks with the Belarusian ambassador. "The plan features 39 events related to academic partnerships, humanitarian cooperation, collaboration between our industrial enterprises, joint innovative projects," the governor said.
