MINSK, 8 September (BelTA) - Belarus and Murmansk Oblast of Russia may reach a new level of cooperation, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Murmansk Oblast Governor Andrei Chibis, BelTA has learned.
Belarus and Murmansk Oblast are developing cooperation in various sectors, primarily in the supply of equipment. “Today we and you have practically no competitors in Russia: Western companies have left Russia. Even if they have not, they are not competitors to us in terms of price and quality,” the president said.
For example, Russian mining and processing companies are interested in BelAZ equipment. The parties are discussing new contracts.
“We have a good deal of groundwork: we are to supply more than 30 vehicles before the end of the year, and 15 vehicles more in 2023. I think there will be more. We know about your interest in the mining equipment. You can be sure that we will give you all kinds of support, assistance in all areas of cooperation in this field,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Belarus also expects to continue supplying passenger vehicles, including Belkommunmash electric transport, to Murmansk Oblast. Minsk Automobile Plant has produced a bus designed especially for the northern regions of Russia.
“An important area of work is municipal vehicles, road and special equipment. We produce a lot of such equipment. They will be important for Murmansk Oblast as import-substituting products,” added the head of state.
The president said that MAZ had mastered and would soon start producing ambulances, while Amkodor could produce a wide range of customized machines.
The head of state also considers food security an extremely important issue. “We are ready to lend a shoulder. Since Soviet times, the residents of Murmansk Oblast have been happy to buy our food, including from the fields: potatoes and other products,” the head of state said.
Belarus offers Murmansk Oblast to cooperate in industrial construction, the supply of building materials and elevator equipment. According to the head of state, Belarus is also interested in participating in the Clean Water regional programs by supplying modular water purification and water treatment plants.
“I am sure that your visit here is the opening of a new stage of cooperation between Belarus and Murmansk Oblast. Everything we will agree on (and we can agree on all issues, you know our capabilities), I assure you that we will certainly fulfill them all regardless of all kinds of sanctions,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
