Belarus, Russia’s Vologda Oblast aim for $1bn in trade by 2030

Georgy Filimonov noted that Belarus currently ranks first in the foreign trade turnover of Vologda Oblast, accounting for about 20% of its total. However, he believes that even these figures are far from the limit, and the potential for cooperation between the two sides is much greater. Therefore, both sides are discussing various projects and initiatives to boost trade, economy, investment, tourism and humanitarian cooperation. According to him, there are plans to expand the range of mutual supplies to achieve the goal of increasing trade to $1 billion by 2030.

Elaborating on the projects discussed during the meeting with the Belarusian president, Georgy Filimonov highlighted the construction of a multimodal multi-brand service center in Vologda Oblast for all equipment of Belarusian manufacture.

“An officially accredited service center not only for MAZ, but also for MTZ, Amkodor, and other enterprises,” the Vologda Oblast governor emphasized. “As of today, over 6,000 units of Belarusian machinery are in operation in Vologda Oblast. By the way, we have suggested exploring the possibility of locating such a facility in the special economic zone [near the settlement of] Leskovo.” According to him, its residents are offered a range of benefits, including tax incentives.

“A second major economic initiative is our proposal to launch joint manufacturing of Belarusian machinery in Vologda Oblast. Initially, this could involve assembly, then advance to component manufacturing with up to 70% localization rate, with a subsequent goal of achieving full component manufacturing to enable the manufacture of special equipment from the Belarusian company Pozhsnab in Vologda Oblast,” Georgy Filimonov said.

According to him, there is a whole range of other projects to boost trade cooperation between Vologda Oblast and Belarus. In addition to economy, the Vologda Oblast governor also drew attention to humanitarian cooperation, in particular, tourism. 

“Of course, we would like to continue introducing Vologda Oblast to our Belarusian partners and brothers. For instance, by expanding the presence of our companies at Belarusian exhibitions of tourism services such as the Leisure 2026 expo and BELARUS.TRAVEL. We will exhibit our displays. We are interested in inviting heads of Belarusian travel agencies on fact-finding trips to Vologda Oblast to create joint travel packages for attracting tourists. We have colossal potential,” the governor emphasized.

Georgy Filimonov reminded that Vologda Oblast is home to Veliky Ustyug, which is the “residence of Ded Moroz” [Grandfather Frost]. The Vologda Oblast governor proposed to the Belarusian president the idea of building a house for the Belarusian Ded Moroz in Veliky Ustyug. “So that these two brothers, symbolizing our spiritual, cultural and historical ties, would be side by side. So that it would be a branch of your Belovezhskaya Pushcha residence [the residence of the Belarusian Ded Moroz in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park] within the residence of Ded Moroz in Veliky Ustyug,” Georgy Filimonov explained.

In January–June 2025, the trade between Belarus and Vologda Oblast amounted to $316.4 million, 100.9% as against the same period last year. Overall, the indicator has been growing for the last few years: while in 2020 trade stood at $335 million, in 2024 the figure reached $678.1 million.

Belarus’ main exports include liquid crystal devices, lasers, tractors and truck tractors, parts and accessories for vehicles and tractors, nitrogen fertilizers, and other goods. Belarus has primarily imported Vologda Oblast’s flat-rolled products from various types of steel, wire, copper and copper alloys, ferrous metal waste and scrap, and other types of products.