MINSK, 22 April (BelTA) - Trade between Russia’s Arkhangelsk Oblast and Belarus has been growing steadily over the past five years, Governor of Arkhangelsk Oblast Alexander Tsybulsky said at the fourth meeting of the working group on cooperation between Belarus and Arkhangelsk Oblast of Russia in Minsk on 22 April, BelTA has learned.
"For Arkhangelsk Oblast, Belarus is one of the priority foreign trade partners. In terms of the CIS, it is the number one partner. Our trade has been growing steadily over the past five years," Alexander Tsybulsky noted.
According to him, avenues for cooperation are many. "We must discuss all issues on the agenda as constructively as possible. The most important thing is to chart the way forward in our cooperation," the governor stressed.
The meeting brought together Chairman of the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom concern Aleksandr Pshenny, Governor of Arkhangelsk Oblast Alexander Tsybulsky, representatives of the government, ministries, city and district administrations, organizations, and educational institutions of both countries.
The parties are set to review the trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Arkhangelsk Oblast in 2023 and outline promising areas for further cooperation. In particular, the agenda includes cooperation in the manufacturing sector, supply of passenger vehicles, agriculture, subsoil use, science, education and youth policy.
By decision of the Council of Ministers, Bellesbumprom Concern is responsible for the development of cooperation with Arkhangelsk Oblast of Russia. Bellesbumprom is actively working on joint action plans to strengthen cooperation. According to the National Statistical Committee, in January-December 2023 trade between Belarus and Arkhangelsk Oblast surged by 45%. Both trade and exports to Arkhangelsk Oblast in 2023 were record high.
At the moment, the parties are implementing an action plan for 2023-2026 to the agreement between the governments of Arkhangelsk Oblast and Belarus on cooperation in trade, economy, science, technology and humanitarian affairs.
