Krutoi, Russian governors discuss cooperation projects
01.10.2026
MINSK (
BelTA) – Cooperation projects were discussed during meetings between Head of the Belarus President Administration Dmitry Krutoi and heads of Russian regions in Minsk on 1 October, BelTA has learned.
Following the meetings with representatives of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Bryansk Oblast, Smolensk Oblast, and Krasnodar Territory, Dmitry Krutoi told the media that the INNOPROM. Belarus expo was always a good opportunity to communicate directly with Russian governors.
“At all meetings, we mainly discussed cooperation projects with our enterprises. It’s great to see such a global shift in mindset. Everyone realizes that with Western brands exiting, Southeast Asian manufacturers are aggressively moving into our markets. To stay competitive against them, we have to step up our game and deliver efficient products through deeper cooperation,” the head of the President Administration said.
“Today, we even discussed the cost nuances of specific projects related to salaries, direct supplies of components without middlemen, and the work of Belarusian builders, whose construction and assembly efforts effectively lower the cost of setting up various manufacturing facilities in Russian regions,” Dmitry Krutoi said, emphasizing that deep economic analysis is driving these efforts.
“The functioning of financial instruments was another key topic on the agenda, which I previously discussed with Far Eastern governors on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum. They are seeking support – not just through interest rate subsidies for product exports, but also by extending these financial tools to the numerous multi-brand service centers being built across Russia by our major manufacturers, to help fast-track their construction,” Dmitry Krutoi said. He noted that the issue of service maintenance and the timely delivery of spare parts has come to the forefront today amid fierce competition with manufacturers from China, Vietnam, and India in the Russian market.
The head of the President Administration emphasized that today’s talks involved governors ranked among Belarus’ top 10 trade partners. “Of course, we have a very extensive cooperation agenda with them. There are individual projects with virtually every region,” he said.
Citing Smolensk Oblast as a prime example, he pointed to the construction of a new power unit at the Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant, alongside the reconstruction, modernization, and essentially the construction of the Smolensk-Severny airfield. Russian colleagues are choosing Belarusian contractors, and Minskstroy will act as the general contractor.
“It will be one of the largest construction projects that we are currently implementing in Russia – worth approximately $120 million. Of course, the timeline is tight – 2 to 2.5 years. However, the qualifications and competencies of our builders are sufficient. I believe they will soon get to work on this project,” Dmitry Krutoi said.
Regarding cooperation with the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), he recalled that a high-level Belarusian delegation led by the economy minister had already visited the region, and now the head of Yakutia has arrived in Minsk for a return visit with a large delegation to attend INNOPROM. Belarus expo.
The head of the President Administration pointed out that this market is a very complex segment in terms of competition. However, the region is ready to multiply its supplies of gas-powered vehicles. In this regard, the head of Yakutia held talks with directors of Belarusian enterprises at the expo today.
Partners are also interested in BelAZ autonomous mining dump trucks. “The territories are vast. The deposits are located far from major centers. Therefore, driverless technologies and machinery are in demand as never before, especially in the Far East,” Dmitry Krutoi explained.
He also pointed to a large number of projects related to road construction and social housing construction. “Why social housing? Because it involves guaranteed federal funding. In this sense, we are somewhat protected from unreliable contractors,” he said.
“Regional gas grid expansion is another key area. What started as a pilot project in Smolensk is now being rolled out across Leningrad Oblast. Specialized divisions of our companies have been created, which perform very well under the Gazprom gasification program, handling everything from design work to delivering turnkey projects. They involve our builders as well. The first experience is very good, and now this initiative is being scaled up,” the head of the President Administration said.
Furthermore, launching dedicated retail outlets for Belarusian goods remains a key priority, with negotiations with major retail chains currently underway at the level of governors. In particular, Dmitry Krutoi mentioned the Belarusian Village project. “Governors are pleased with these projects and are asking to scale up and increase supplies,” he added.
Speaking about the INNOPROM. Belarus international industrial expo, he pointed to the large number of regional stands. Some governors noted that after studying the agenda and following meetings with the Belarusian president, they decided to set up displays directly in Minsk for the first time, even without having a presence at the flagship event in Ekaterinburg.
Following the meetings with representatives of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Bryansk Oblast, Smolensk Oblast, and Krasnodar Territory, Dmitry Krutoi told the media that the INNOPROM. Belarus expo was always a good opportunity to communicate directly with Russian governors.
“At all meetings, we mainly discussed cooperation projects with our enterprises. It’s great to see such a global shift in mindset. Everyone realizes that with Western brands exiting, Southeast Asian manufacturers are aggressively moving into our markets. To stay competitive against them, we have to step up our game and deliver efficient products through deeper cooperation,” the head of the President Administration said.
“Today, we even discussed the cost nuances of specific projects related to salaries, direct supplies of components without middlemen, and the work of Belarusian builders, whose construction and assembly efforts effectively lower the cost of setting up various manufacturing facilities in Russian regions,” Dmitry Krutoi said, emphasizing that deep economic analysis is driving these efforts.
“The functioning of financial instruments was another key topic on the agenda, which I previously discussed with Far Eastern governors on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum. They are seeking support – not just through interest rate subsidies for product exports, but also by extending these financial tools to the numerous multi-brand service centers being built across Russia by our major manufacturers, to help fast-track their construction,” Dmitry Krutoi said. He noted that the issue of service maintenance and the timely delivery of spare parts has come to the forefront today amid fierce competition with manufacturers from China, Vietnam, and India in the Russian market.
The head of the President Administration emphasized that today’s talks involved governors ranked among Belarus’ top 10 trade partners. “Of course, we have a very extensive cooperation agenda with them. There are individual projects with virtually every region,” he said.
Citing Smolensk Oblast as a prime example, he pointed to the construction of a new power unit at the Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant, alongside the reconstruction, modernization, and essentially the construction of the Smolensk-Severny airfield. Russian colleagues are choosing Belarusian contractors, and Minskstroy will act as the general contractor.
“It will be one of the largest construction projects that we are currently implementing in Russia – worth approximately $120 million. Of course, the timeline is tight – 2 to 2.5 years. However, the qualifications and competencies of our builders are sufficient. I believe they will soon get to work on this project,” Dmitry Krutoi said.
Regarding cooperation with the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), he recalled that a high-level Belarusian delegation led by the economy minister had already visited the region, and now the head of Yakutia has arrived in Minsk for a return visit with a large delegation to attend INNOPROM. Belarus expo.
The head of the President Administration pointed out that this market is a very complex segment in terms of competition. However, the region is ready to multiply its supplies of gas-powered vehicles. In this regard, the head of Yakutia held talks with directors of Belarusian enterprises at the expo today.
Partners are also interested in BelAZ autonomous mining dump trucks. “The territories are vast. The deposits are located far from major centers. Therefore, driverless technologies and machinery are in demand as never before, especially in the Far East,” Dmitry Krutoi explained.
He also pointed to a large number of projects related to road construction and social housing construction. “Why social housing? Because it involves guaranteed federal funding. In this sense, we are somewhat protected from unreliable contractors,” he said.
“Regional gas grid expansion is another key area. What started as a pilot project in Smolensk is now being rolled out across Leningrad Oblast. Specialized divisions of our companies have been created, which perform very well under the Gazprom gasification program, handling everything from design work to delivering turnkey projects. They involve our builders as well. The first experience is very good, and now this initiative is being scaled up,” the head of the President Administration said.
Furthermore, launching dedicated retail outlets for Belarusian goods remains a key priority, with negotiations with major retail chains currently underway at the level of governors. In particular, Dmitry Krutoi mentioned the Belarusian Village project. “Governors are pleased with these projects and are asking to scale up and increase supplies,” he added.
Speaking about the INNOPROM. Belarus international industrial expo, he pointed to the large number of regional stands. Some governors noted that after studying the agenda and following meetings with the Belarusian president, they decided to set up displays directly in Minsk for the first time, even without having a presence at the flagship event in Ekaterinburg.