MOSCOW, 21 August (BelTA) – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Aleksandr Rogozhnik is in Tula Oblast on a working trip. He held negotiations with Tula Oblast Acting Governor Dmitry Milyayev, BelTA has learned.
A considerable part of the negotiations was dedicated to shipments of Belarusian passenger vehicles. This is why Aleksandr Rogozhnik remarked that all the restrictions on product access to the markets of the two countries had been lifted upon decisions of the heads of state within the framework of the common industrial policy. “These restrictions are already gone and our products can participate in the tenders, which presented certain complications in the past,” he stated.
Apart from that, the ambassador informed that the Belarus president had signed a decree on loans for exporting industrial goods. According to the diplomat, the document provides for compensations as part of the loans to the tune of up to three fourths of the cost of the refinancing rate. The document also allows leasing schemes for up to seven years. This is why he turned to Dmitry Milyayev with a request to take a look at plans on buying passenger urban transport for Tula Oblast in 2025 for the sake of allowing Belarusian enterprises to participate in the relevant tenders.
“We don’t aspire to get some exclusive terms. We are ready to compete with Russian manufacturers as equals. And for the shipments that we may potentially secure through competition we are ready to set up a multibrand maintenance center for the broadest range of Belarusian machines, vehicles, and equipment starting with tractors and ending with passenger vehicles,” the ambassador stated.
He drew attention to the fact that various approaches are used in the Russian regions where Belarusian vehicles participate in the renewal of the passenger vehicle fleet. For instance, in Yekaterinburg an agreement was reached on modernizing the existing tram fleet with Belarus’ assistance instead of the acquisition of new vehicles. This is why the ambassador suggested sending Belarusian specialists for the sake of evaluating the state of passenger transport in Tula Oblast and choosing an appropriate procedure. Belarus is also ready to supply the region with autonomous trolleybuses, electrobuses, and other kinds of passenger vehicles.
During the negotiations the parties also touched upon cooperation in agribusiness, including deliveries of seeds and genetic aspects of animal husbandry.
In addition to meeting with the acting governor the Belarusian ambassador intends to visit a number of industrial enterprises in Tula Oblast.