MINSK, 23 January (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to help Russia's Novosibirsk upgrade its transport infrastructure, Belarus' Prime Minister Sergei Rumas said as he met with Novosibirsk Oblast Governor Andrei Travnikov on 23 January, BelTA has learned.
“We could jointly develop and implement a project on comprehensive upgrade of Novosibirsk transport infrastructure. This pertains to traffic management, upgrade of tramway tracks, electric power supply systems and transport stops,” Sergei Rumas said.
Belarus is ready to supply a broad range of passenger vehicles to Novosibirsk. The premier suggested considering Belarusian electric buses and trolleybuses with autonomous travel options – such vehicles have successfully passed the tests in the Russian Federation.
In his words, Belarus could supply more BelAZ haul trucks for Novosibirsk Oblast mining companies, as well as machinery made by Minsk Automobile Plant, Minsk Tractor Works and Gomselmash. The Russian region might as well get interested in Belarusian road construction machinery, municipal vehicles and forest harvesting machines.
The Belarusian head of government suggested intensifying cooperation in the manufacturing industry and technology between Belarus and Novosibirsk Oblast. Citing examples of such cooperation he mentioned Sibelectroprivod and BelAZ, Ekran FEP and BelOMO.
“We know about the quality work of the Siberian Aeronautical Research Institute to upgrade small commercial aviation. Therefore, we invite the institute to team up with the Minsk Plant of Civil Aviation to do technical maintenance, repair and upgrade of such aircraft,” the premier said.
In his view, there are good cooperation prospects in the agricultural industry, construction and utilities sector.
Sergei Rumas expressed confidence that the trade between Belarus and Novosibirsk Oblast will hit $300 million 2018 yearend. “This is encouraging. At the same time, the import featured many products that had to do with the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. We realize that these commodities will no longer be imported. We need to think how to replace them in order to maintain such a robust trade,” the premier noted.
Andrei Travnikov said that the region cooperates with Belarus in many economic sectors. He believes that the ongoing visit will result in agreements that will translate into joint projects in the future.
