MOGILEV, 17 February (BelTA) – Primorye Territory is an important strategic partner of Mogilev Oblast and Belarus in general, Mogilev Oblast Governor Leonid Zayats told reporters following a virtual meeting of the working group on cooperation between Belarus and Primorye Territory of the Russian Federation on 17 February, BelTA has learned.
Taking part in the teleconference were representatives of Belarus' Architecture and Construction Ministry, Industry Ministry, Agriculture and Food Ministry, Belgospishcheprom Concern, Mogilev Oblast Executive Committee and Mogilev Executive Committee, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the country's biggest enterprises.
“Primorye Territory is an important strategic partner of Mogilev Oblast and Belarus in general. Our region posted an increase in trade in 2020, albeit insignificant. We are exploring a number of market niches in Primorye Territory; these are mostly mechanical engineering and food production. Our country can offer its expertise and knowledge in animal husbandry and horticulture. Belarusian specialists will help with land reclamation in Primorye Territory; we will also supply special-purpose equipment. In general, this Russian region is interested in purchasing a large set of Belarus-made equipment, including machinery produced in Mogilev Oblast,” Leonid Zayats said.
He also stressed that the Russian region has plans to purchase new elevators for the existing and new housing stock. This opens up great opportunities for Mogilevliftmash, as the company will be able to get new orders and hence additional profit, the governor said.
Top on the agenda was also participation of Belarusian construction workers in a large-scale project on Russky Island. There are plans to set up a museum complex and a theatrical and educational complex there. “More than 2,000 Belarusian specialists might take part in these projects. We will discuss it in greater detail, we need to see how our country can benefit from it,” Leonid Zayats emphasized.
The parties also took stock of the efforts to implement the protocol on cooperation certified in November 2020. “We can already say that our cooperation has made good progress. However, a number of pending issues need to be addressed in a fast and careful manner. We have all the necessary legal and regulatory instruments to penetrate the Primorye Territory market. We hope that all this will give a boost to bilateral trade,” Leonid Zayats concluded.
It was agreed that a Primorye Territory delegation led by Governor Oleg Kozhemyako will visit Belarus in late March for a more detailed discussion of cooperation proposals.
