MOGILEV, 12 October (BelTA) - The 5th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia is an important event for fostering a mutually beneficial dialogue, Tula Oblast Governor Aleksei Dyumin said at the plenary session in Mogilev on 12 October, BelTA has learned.
According to Aleksei Dyumin, Belarus and Tula Oblast are reliable and time-tested partners. “We are bound by close economic relations and strong friendship. We have built a clear-cut system of interaction in many areas. For example, Tula farmers are provided with Belarusian agricultural equipment, for example, MTZ tractors and combine harvesters Polesye,” the governor emphasized.
Tula exports cast iron, household and industrial chemicals, industrial equipment to Belarus. In turn, the Russian region imports milk, cream, meat products, crushed stone, textiles, and household goods.
In Tula Oblast there are about 150 commercial enterprises selling Belarusian products. In January-September 2018, about 80 fairs were held in Tula, which was twice as many as three years ago. It has become a good tradition to hold joint concerts and festivals. Vocational schools training specialists for the food and services industries have been promoting ties, exchanging students and teachers.
The establishment of an interregional group to coordinate cooperation between Tula Oblast and Belarus contributes to the dialogue. “We meet annually to discuss relevant topics with business people, plans for mutual cooperation. We conclude contracts and implement specific projects,” Aleksei Dyumin noted.
A regular meeting of the interregional group was held in Minsk on 11 October. The parties outlined concrete measures for cooperation in trade, industry and agriculture. In 2017, the trade between Tula Oblast and Belarus amounted to about $167 million, which was 84% more than in the previous year. In January-September 2018, the trade reached $134 million (up 12.8%). “We don't intend to stop at this. We will step up our efforts to multiply our achievements and find new ways of interaction,” Aleksei Dyumin said.
