Minsk Oblast to deepen regional ties with CIS states

MINSK, 12 June (BelTA) – Minsk Oblast has plans to expand regional cooperation with the CIS member states, Minsk Oblast Governor Boris Batura told reporters on 12 June, BelTA has learnt.

“Recently we have taken dramatic measures to intensify economic ties with the CIS member states, including Kazakhstan and Armenia. A total of 77 cooperation agreements were concluded by Minsk Oblast with the CIS and non-CIS countries and regions, including 39 agreements with Russian regions. We are determined to ramp up regional cooperation with the CIS member states,” Boris Batura said.

In 2012 the major trading partners of Minsk Oblast included Russia (38.5% of the total trade), Ukraine (9.3%), Brazil (6.7%), Germany (4.8%), China (4.2%), and the Netherlands (4%). In 2012 the CIS countries accounted for 52.7% of export and 47.6% of import of the region.

Boris Batura underlined that Russia remains an undisputable leader among the trading partners of Minsk Oblast. The Belarusian region deems it necessary to establish direct long-term relations with Russian regions to promote trade and economic cooperation with Russia. Moscow Oblast accounts for over 20% of Minsk Oblast’s export to Russia, Moscow accounts for 19% and Kemerovo Oblast for 14%. Minsk Oblast is increasing export to all the regions of Russia. In January-May 2013 the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee welcomed delegations from seven Russian regions that came on official and working visits. Those were delegations from Amur Oblast, Vologda Oblast, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Moscow Oblast, Penza Oblast, Omsk Oblast, and Yaroslavl Oblast.

Boris Batura emphasized importance of cooperation with Kemerovo Oblast: “We expect to advance dramatically to the market of Kemerovo Oblast by selling more BelAZ vehicles and products made by Soligorsk-based companies. These companies are mainly private businesses manufacturing mining equipment, like ore handling underground vehicles and other products that are in great demand in the Kuznetsk Basin”.

Minsk Oblast will maintain an unwavering focus on other export destinations within the CIS. Minsk Oblast is increasing export to Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and other states. In January-April 2013 the trade with these countries was estimated at $500 million, up by 30%. The export growth made up 139%. “Karaganda Oblast of Kazakhstan is of special interest for us, because a joint venture assembling BelAZ vehicles will be commissioned there in June. A delegation of Minsk Oblast is going to fly to Kazakhstan to cement the progress. We are very interested in this market. We are set to visit Armenia at the end of August. We hope we will conclude contracts to supply heavy-duty machines there. This country is actively developing goldfields. We hope we will be able to boost BelAZ export to Mongolia,” he said.