Photo courtesy of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee
MINSK, 2 October (BelTA) - Approximately 90 agreements and protocols on inter-regional cooperation in economy, science, technology, and culture have been signed in Minsk Oblast, with over 40% of them involving regions of the Russian Federation, Minsk Oblast Governor Aleksei Kushnarenko said at a meeting of the Belarus-Russia Inter-Parliamentary Commission, which discussed preparations for the 13th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, scheduled for 2026 in Minsk Oblast, BelTA has learned.
“The Russian Federation is not only our kin nation but also a strategic partner in political, trade, economic, and humanitarian sectors,” Aleksei Kushnarenko said. “Minsk Oblast accounts for nearly one-fifth of the mutual trade between Belarus and the Russian Federation and almost a quarter of all Belarusian exports to Russia. Last year, record-high volumes were reached across all indicators of mutual trade, and this growth trend has continued into the current year.”
The most active trade and economic ties have been established with regions such as Moscow, Tula, Leningrad, and the Republic of Tatarstan. The export structure is diverse, with the most significant categories including machinery, chemical products, meat and dairy, metal goods, pharmaceuticals, and more.
“Our relations are characterized by a high level of integration and industrial cooperation. Enterprises, primarily flagship machine-building companies, are actively collaborating by supplying components for automotive plants and implementing a number of promising import-substitution investment projects with Russian financing. Minsk Oblast is open to holding meetings with representatives from all Russian regions,” Aleksei Kushnarenko explained.
He added that in recent years, when concluding new inter-regional agreements, the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee has emphasized the mandatory inclusion of a substantive economic component. Delegation exchanges yield concrete results; for instance, following a meeting with the governor of the Leningrad Region, deliveries of firefighting equipment to that region commenced, and work is underway to establish an assembly production facility.
The Minsk Oblast Executive Committee will do everything necessary to ensure the upcoming Forum of Regions is held to a high standard, having already established a working group for its preparation. “Direct regional links allow for a fuller consideration of the interests and capabilities of business entities and the development of mutually beneficial partnerships, which in turn helps resolve a wide range of specific issues,” Aleksei Kushnarenko said.
The governor also sees a need to update existing agreements. “We are systematically working to intensify contacts with our Russian partners, not by forcing developments, but by gradually expanding interaction,” he emphasized.
Last year, Minsk Oblast concluded an agreement with Omsk Oblast, updated a cooperation agreement with Oryol Oblast, and reached a similar agreement with Ulyanovsk Oblast. In preparation for the 13th Forum, plans are in place to sign cooperation roadmaps with Tyumen Oblast and Arkhangelsk Oblast, as well as the Republic of Tatarstan.
“The Russian Federation is not only our kin nation but also a strategic partner in political, trade, economic, and humanitarian sectors,” Aleksei Kushnarenko said. “Minsk Oblast accounts for nearly one-fifth of the mutual trade between Belarus and the Russian Federation and almost a quarter of all Belarusian exports to Russia. Last year, record-high volumes were reached across all indicators of mutual trade, and this growth trend has continued into the current year.”
The most active trade and economic ties have been established with regions such as Moscow, Tula, Leningrad, and the Republic of Tatarstan. The export structure is diverse, with the most significant categories including machinery, chemical products, meat and dairy, metal goods, pharmaceuticals, and more.
“Our relations are characterized by a high level of integration and industrial cooperation. Enterprises, primarily flagship machine-building companies, are actively collaborating by supplying components for automotive plants and implementing a number of promising import-substitution investment projects with Russian financing. Minsk Oblast is open to holding meetings with representatives from all Russian regions,” Aleksei Kushnarenko explained.
He added that in recent years, when concluding new inter-regional agreements, the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee has emphasized the mandatory inclusion of a substantive economic component. Delegation exchanges yield concrete results; for instance, following a meeting with the governor of the Leningrad Region, deliveries of firefighting equipment to that region commenced, and work is underway to establish an assembly production facility.
The Minsk Oblast Executive Committee will do everything necessary to ensure the upcoming Forum of Regions is held to a high standard, having already established a working group for its preparation. “Direct regional links allow for a fuller consideration of the interests and capabilities of business entities and the development of mutually beneficial partnerships, which in turn helps resolve a wide range of specific issues,” Aleksei Kushnarenko said.
The governor also sees a need to update existing agreements. “We are systematically working to intensify contacts with our Russian partners, not by forcing developments, but by gradually expanding interaction,” he emphasized.
Last year, Minsk Oblast concluded an agreement with Omsk Oblast, updated a cooperation agreement with Oryol Oblast, and reached a similar agreement with Ulyanovsk Oblast. In preparation for the 13th Forum, plans are in place to sign cooperation roadmaps with Tyumen Oblast and Arkhangelsk Oblast, as well as the Republic of Tatarstan.
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