Lukashenko outlined promising areas of co-operation with Leningrad Region, and these include construction, energy, roads

Belarus and the Leningrad Region have many promising areas of mutually beneficial co-operation – as noted by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, during his today’s meeting with the Governor of the Leningrad Region, Aleksandar Drozdenko

The Head of State thanked Mr. Drozdenko for involving domestic enterprises in the implementation of the most important programmes for the Leningrad Region, noting that the construction of water treatment plants is among them. Thirty-seven turnkey facilities built using Belarusian technologies already operate in the Leningrad Region. “I am reported that you have prepared a programme for the construction of more than 100 such objects, and the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus is ready to join its financing," the Belarusian leader noted.

In addition, the implementation of a project for the construction of a school for 825 pupils in the Lomonosov residential district has begun. The Government is deciding on the allocation of a special export credit. “These are familiar and detailed tasks worked out by our specialists,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

A new direction of co-operation deals is the participation of Belarusian design and construction organisations in the comprehensive modernisation of fuel and energy complex facilities (boiler houses), creation and reconstruction of heat supply sources in municipal districts of the region. Another profitable avenue is the supply of Belarusian construction materials, road construction equipment, cement, wall materials, prefabricated structures, bitumen, exchange of experience in the application of modern road construction technologies.

The President added, “I want to suggest to you not to create parallel productions if we have the opportunity to export. We will always agree on deliveries with you, and for the long term as well. We, including you, now need to spend money on the most necessary things. Why should we create parallel production facilities? The directions I have listed just relate to this issue. I would like to emphasise another time: in order to have guarantees, we can agree for a very long-term perspective, for a decade to work together. Such a mutual volume of production is very important, and this is only part of the possible directions for increasing our economic co-operation. You can count on us if you need help, and we can provide it. We will definitely do.”

Taking into account the expressed wishes, a rich programme of the visit has been prepared for the Russian delegation. "We should look very carefully at where we can complement each other and work seriously for the result, for achieving the goal that we have outlined," the Head of State concluded.

photos: www.president.gov.by