Lukashenko: Belarus’ turnover with Samara Region could reach $1bn
Belarus and Samara Region have every opportunity to increase mutual trade turnover to $1bn – as noted by President Aleksandr Lukashenko during his today’s meeting with the Governor of the Samara Region, Dmitry Azarov
“Without going into statistics, I will say: there are all opportunities to reach $1bn in trading, but we simply need to fully implement everything that we have previously agreed on at various levels. Life itself is now pushing us to this, indicating the right, maybe the only way. We must rely on our own,” the Head of State said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that Belarus is ready to significantly increase supplies of the most modern automotive, agricultural, road-building and municipal machinery, as well as equipment for logging.
Logging equipment production was also among the topics discussed by the two countries’ leaders at their recent meeting in Russia.
“It so happened that neither we nor Russia can buy imports. Meanwhile, only Russia and Belarus have forests,” Aleksandr Lukashenko explained. “Everyone wants furniture and other wood-made products, but there is no equipment. It is good that we have begun to replace imports with our own competencies in recent years, but have slightly lacked time. We experimentally produced gearboxes for logging equipment, we have engines in Russia and Belarus, and also axles, heads for harvesting and sawing wood. But we did not have time to put them into mass production. I explained this to the President and said, "We can't do without it – especially Russia. This is our other oil, and for this to develop now, $200-250m is needed.” He replied, “This is an interesting project, we should study and definitely promote it." Therefore, this project needs to be promoted by the governments now. The Samara Region will probably find its place here. We would really like this to happen. I am convinced we are able to agree on the terms of supply, service maintenance and financial support.”
