MINSK, 13 December (BelTA) - The Belarusian side is ready to deliver equipment for various industries and foodstuffs to the Republic of Karelia, develop cooperation in agribusiness with this region, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with head of the Republic of Karelia, the Russian Federation, Artur Parfenchikov on 13 December, BelTA informs.
The president stressed that the cooperation with Russian regions is one of the priorities of strategic relations between Belarus and Russia, a key element of the trade and economic ties. The head of state said that the Republic of Karelia is a crucial partner in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia. He remarked that Belarus is interested in the further enhancement of bilateral trade, promotion of business initiatives and search for new growth points.
The Belarusian side believes that the project to set up a joint assembly plant for Amkodor logging equipment is a promising one. “This is a large and important project, and we count on your support here,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
Another avenue of cooperation is the delivery of Belarusian dump trucks and freight vehicles for mining enterprises, logging equipment, passenger transport and spare parts. “We can also offer mutually beneficial financial instruments for export, including leasing and preferential loans. We have been using these programs for years,” the president remarked. In his words, BelAZ is ready to take part in the program to upgrade the fleet of heavy-duty dump trucks in Karelia, MAZ and Belkommunmash can provide new passenger transport.
Belarus can help develop the agricultural industry in Karelia. For this purpose, Belarus can expand the export of corresponding Belarusian equipment. “We have experience of cooperation on a big territory from Venezuela to Sakhalin,” the head of state said. ‘We worked all over the world, tried various technologies and chose a way of development for our agriculture. If you start building dairy factories, we can provide necessary equipment. It has been tested already. We made products in compliance with the highest European standards, we have done a lot with European partners. Now our production is fully localized.” According to Alexander Lukashenko, it is possible to step up cooperation in agricultural science.
Besides, Belarus is ready to continue the export of foodstuffs to Karelia. “We export many foodstuffs to Karelia. If you do not like anything, tell us, and we will do what you need,” the president said.
Alexander Lukashenko sees mutual interest in joint fish breeding because Karelia is Russia's undisputed leader in the production of brown trout.
“I am convinced that the today's meeting will help enhance the ties that we value a lot. Our goal is to maximize the practical efficiency of cooperation. By joint efforts we will fulfill our plans,“ the Belarusian leader added.
