Lukashenko: Western companies exiting Union State open up new opportunities for Belarus, Russia
Western companies pulling back from the Union State market open up new opportunities for cooperation between Belarus and Russia, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Governor of Leningrad Oblast, Russia Alexander Drozdenko on 2 June, BelTA has learned.
“Withdrawal of Western companies from our common market gives us additional opportunities in all the areas,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state believes that there is huge potential for expanding cooperation in the agro-industrial sector. Despite the fact that Belarus and Leningrad Oblast are partly competitors in this area, since they both have a well-developed industry, there are many options to complement each other.
“I remember working in agriculture back then that we were always jealous of your well-developed breeding business. We are ready to cooperate with you in this regard. If there is even the slightest possibility for us to buy cattle from you, to adopt your experience, we will gladly adhere to this line. In turn, we are ready to cooperate in crop breeding. You know our capabilities,” the president said.
Another interesting project, which, in the opinion of the head of state, has excellent prospects, is to expand the production of valuable fish species. “This is a gold mine, which should be developed together. We have a good production base in Mogilev. We can multiply the volume of fish breeding for the needs of Leningrad Oblast,” he stressed.
Belarus is also ready to get actively involved in high-capacity sectors such as housing, industrial, road and infrastructure construction, which Leningrad Oblast has identified as drivers of economic growth in the region. “We can not only supply road and construction equipment but also implement the relevant projects in these areas,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Belarusian manufacturers, for example, have already participated as contractors in the construction of modular water treatment and purification plants in the Russian region. The country is ready to continue this cooperation.
Builders from Belarus are also ready to construct social facilities in Leningrad Oblast. Plans are in place to build a school for 825 pupils in Lomonosovsky District. Belarusian companies specializing in the construction of industrial facilities are already engaged in implementation of major projects on the development of port infrastructure and the modernization of the oil refinery in Ust-Luga. “If necessary, we are ready to implement any turn-key industrial facility project,” the Belarusian leader said.