Co-operation reset

Belarus and the Murmansk Region can reach a new level of co-operation. The Head of the Belarusian State expressed his confidence concerning this issue at a meeting with Governor of Russia’s Murmansk Region Andrei Chibis.

The trade between Belarus and Murmansk Region exceeds $100 million per year. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, this is a good result, but the parties can do much better.
According to the results of the first half of the year, the volume of trade increased by 23 percent, primarily on the back of supplies from Murmansk Region: imports increased by 35 percent, while Belarusian exports dropped by 20 percent.
“I suppose, we can rectify the imbalance, we have everything in place to do it. Under the current conditions, it is strategically important for us to redirect part of Belarusian exports, primarily potash fertilisers, to your ports. And not only potash fertilisers. You know, we have been closely studying this issue. I have been informed on all aspects of this matter, and we have decided that we will co-operate with Murmansk Region despite the fact that we are already operating in the St. Petersburg area,” emphasised the President.
According to the Head of State, the co-operation in logistics between Belarus and Murmansk Region is also supported by the Russian President. The necessary agreements have already been reached, but there are still some pending issues. This pertains, among other things, to the cost of delivery of goods by rail.

Murmansk Commercial Seaport

The President highlighted, “Fundamental decisions have been made. We will work on this. The northern direction will significantly boost our co-operation in logistics taking into account St. Petersburg. And I still believe that someday the northern route [Northern Sea Route] will be actively used to supply goods through the Arctic Ocean to the Asian part of our planet. It will be a game changer. If our co-operation proceeds well, we can send millions of tonnes more to keep this route busy.”
Belarus and Murmansk Region are developing co-operation in various sectors, primarily in the supply of equipment. For example, Russian mining and processing companies are interested in BelAZ equipment. The parties are discussing new contracts. Belarus also expects to continue supplying passenger vehicles, including Belkommunmash electric transport, to Murmansk Region. 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.  
Belarus offers Murmansk Region to co-operate 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 programmes by supplying modular water purification and water treatment plants.

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by