Overchuk: Belarus actively involved in import substitution effort in Russia

MINSK, 14 February (BelTA) – Belarus has actively joined the import substitution effort in Russia, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said at a meeting of the High-Level Group of the Council of Ministers of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Minsk on 14 February, BelTA has learned.

"Our countries share the centuries-old history, human destinies, family ties, a common cultural heritage. We are creating the conditions for the prosperity of our peoples, harnessing the potential laid down in the Union State Treaty. One of the key areas is trade and economic cooperation," Alexey Overchuk noted.

According to him, working together, the countries are removing barriers in economies and improving the conditions for cooperation. "Last year, agreements were reached to implement investment projects with an aim of replacing imports. An appropriate agreement was signed. We are expanding the list of products in mutual trade, improving the conditions for the transportation of Belarusian goods through the territory of Russia, trying to help and support each other," Alexey Overchuk said.

The Belarus-Russia trade increased in 2022, Alexey Overchuk emphasized. Belarusian exports exceeded Russian imports. "It is clear that the Belarusian economy has actively joined the import substitution effort in Russia," he added. “We are synchronizing our economies. This creates a good basis for further integration, the development of joint markets and, ultimately, the common economy with free movement of goods, services, and labor.