BREST, 17 December (BelTA) - Trade between Belarus and Russia's Irkutsk Oblast has doubled in the past five years. Such figures were voiced during a videoconference meeting of the working group on cooperation between Belarus and Irkutsk Oblast of Russia, BelTA has learned.
On behalf of Belarus, the meeting was led by Brest Oblast Governor Anatoly Lis, who is responsible for coordinating cooperation with the Russian region. Irkutsk Oblast Governor Igor Kobzev was the co-chairman on behalf of the Russian delegation. The meeting has brought together representatives of ministries, concerns, the largest engineering enterprises (MTZ, MAZ, Amkodor, Belkommunmash), academies of sciences, chambers of commerce and industry of Belarus and Eastern Siberia.
Nikolai Kutsko, an adviser to the Belarusian Embassy in Russia, noted that over the past five years cooperation between Belarus and Russia's Irkutsk Oblast has become truly systemic. “Since the time the parties signed an agreement on cooperation, mutual trade between Belarus and Irkutsk Oblast has increased on an annual basis. In 2016-2019, the volume of trade surged more than four times and reached a record high of $284 million in 2019. Unfortunately, this trend did not continue this year: in January-October the trade shrank 2.1 times. The decline was caused primarily by the epidemic of coronavirus infection,” the diplomat noted.
Belarus' major exports to Irkutsk Oblast were wires, fluoride, trucks, tires, auto spare parts, rolling stock, paints, varnishes, elevators, milk, cream. The country has stepped up the export of insulated wires, parts to machines and devices, mechanical devices for spraying liquids, elevators. Special-purpose vehicles and X-ray equipment were delivered for the first time last year. Major imports were aluminum wire, unprocessed aluminum, insulated wires, cables, legumes flour, timber, accumulators.
Yana Sobol, Minister of Economic Development of Irkutsk Oblast, mentioned Belarusian cosmetics and praised it for high quality. “Belarusian food products, textiles and footwear are also in demand among residents of Irkutsk and Irkutsk Oblast. This year we have opened two new stores selling Belarusian products “Traditions and Tastes”,” she said.
The parties emphasized mutual interest and desire to develop cooperation and expand its opportunities. In 2021 the parties will focus efforts to restore mutual trade. The development of cooperation in the industrial sector and timber industry are viewed as the most promising areas. Agriculture and agro-industrial complex remain among the priorities.
As for cooperation in humanitarian affairs, Belarus suggested a Brest-Irkutsk motor rally to mark the Victory of the Great Patriotic War and the 80th anniversary of the Brest Fortress defense. As part of the agreements reached during the last visit of the Irkutsk Oblast delegation to Belarus, the parties are mulling over the organization of a trip for Belarusian schoolchildren to Irkutsk Oblast.
The video conference was held with the help of the new service “Cloud video conferencing IVA MCU” from beCloud. By agreement with the Brest Oblast Executive Committee, the service was provided free of charge.
