MINSK, 17 February (BelTA) – Leningrad Oblast ranks eighth among Russian regions in terms of trade with Belarus, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Nikolai Snopkov said as he met with Deputy Prime Minister of Leningrad Oblast - Chairman of the Committee for Agro-Industrial Complex and Fisheries Oleg Malashchenko, BelTA has learned.
“Leningrad Oblast is a reliable, time-tested partner that always responds to problems, new ideas and joint projects in an open, fast and constructive way. This region ranks eighth among Russian regions in terms of trade with Belarus. And this is not the limit. I think we can ramp up cooperation and achieve even better results,” said Nikolai Snopkov.
He mentioned the most relevant areas of cooperation between Belarus and Leningrad Oblast. “Firstly, this is the agricultural sector. Our agricultural industries have a similar structure. There are very good reserves to expand cooperation in the agricultural industry,” he emphasized.
Nikolai Snopkov spoke about supplies of Belarusian agricultural machinery. “Today, our enterprises are ready to meet all kinds of needs of Leningrad Oblast farmers when it comes to energy-efficient tractors, grain and forage harvesters, sowing and tillage machines,” he noted. A project to launch production of AMKODOR agricultural machines and municipal vehicles, as well as to set up a maintenance center is underway in Gatchina District.
The first vice-premier called mutual investments the core of trade and economic cooperation.
“Residential quarters, schools and hospitals built in many Russian regions are the visiting card of bilateral cooperation. Our specialists are actively working in Kaluga Oblast, Smolensk Oblast, Leningrad Oblast. One of the most remarkable projects is the construction of a school for 825 children in Leningrad Oblast. I am sure you will be happy with the quality, timing and cost of the object. We should scale up our cooperation. Our specialists can take a more active part in infrastructure projects,” Nikolai Snopkov said.
Nikolai Snopkov suggested co-locating the next meeting of the joint cooperation commission with the Belagro exhibition that will be held in the China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone in 2022.
