There are sufficient reserves. Lukashenko sees significant potential for growth in trade turnover with the Omsk region of Russia

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko sees sufficient reserves for increasing trade turnover with the Omsk region of Russia. The Head of State stated this on March 25 at a meeting with the governor of this region, Vitaly Khotsenko, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

The President noted that the head of the Russian region is surely

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus has all the capabilities to meet the needs of the Omsk region in modern and reliable flax harvesting equipment. "This fully applies to other brands of Belarusian mechanical engineering - tractors, combines, which you know well in Russia," he added.

The President said that he is informed about the work carried out by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center in the field of studying, preserving, and using plant genetic resources.

"I am convinced that our scientists have something to work on. The main thing is that these should not be studies for the sake of studies. The economy should receive the effect of their results annually. Moreover, we are increasing funding for these purposes within the framework of the Union State year after year," Alexander Lukashenko stressed. "I fully support such cooperation and believe that we are capable of expanding the range of variety testing of various crops."

The President named import substitution, including in agriculture, as one of the promising areas of cooperation with the Russian region. Especially since there is already a good example of bilateral cooperation. Thus, the Omsk Research Institute of Instrumentation has developed an automated system for managing livestock farms "ASU-AGRO". OJSC "Gomelagrokoplekt" is currently working on implementing such a system based on Belarusian equipment. 15 units of milking equipment have already been supplied to Russia. By June of this year, after test trials, two more sets will be delivered to the Omsk region. This will be a joint product manufactured using Belarusian equipment and a control system developed by a Russian research institute, which has no analogues in the post-Soviet space. According to Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus counts on the support of Vitaly Khotsenko in promoting this product.

Another example of successful investment cooperation mentioned by the head of state is a joint project being implemented in Mogilev - "Omsk Carbon Mogilev".

Initially, the enterprise was focused on supplying products to Western Europe, but after the imposition of sanctions, it managed to shift its sales vector to the Asian region in the shortest possible time. Export supplies are carried out to more than 15 countries. The construction of the third and fourth technological lines is nearing completion, and their commissioning will ensure the production of 200 thousand tons of technical carbon black per year.

"I hope that there will be more such examples in the field of investment cooperation between Belarus and your region," the President said.

Alexander Lukashenko cited the work of OJSC "Mogilevliftmash," an enterprise well-known in the Russian market, as a prime example of partnership in the housing and communal services sector. In 2023 alone, more than 300 Belarusian elevators were supplied to the Omsk region.

The President also noted the Russian region's interest in AMKODOR communal and road construction equipment. "Our enterprise is successfully implementing a number of projects, increasing the output of equipment without Western components, and is ready to supply it in the shortest possible time," he assured.

In addition to industrial cooperation, trade, and investment, the head of state considers it important to maintain contacts between the residents of Belarus and Russian regions, and to expand cooperation in the humanitarian sphere – in culture, education, and sports.

"A special topic is joint work on preserving historical truth and memory of the Great Patriotic War. Many natives of your land took part in the defeat of the enemy. Unfortunately, they died here and are buried in Belarus. We are carrying out extensive practical work on documentation and perpetuation. We invite scientists and researchers from your region to join this important mission," the President suggested.

Summarizing, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized: "We are open to an absolutely substantive conversation on various issues. You can count on us in all areas of cooperation without exception. I think there is an opportunity now, both in the government and at the enterprises, if you wish to visit, to discuss these issues and make appropriate decisions."

Source: belta.by