Lukashenko offers Russia’s Amur Oblast joint implementation of infrastructure projects

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko offered options for cooperation in the implementation of major infrastructure projects as he met with Governor of Russia's Amur Oblast Vasily Orlov on 23 July, BelTA has learned.

Welcoming the Russian governor in Minsk, the head of state praised historical community and interconnections between Belarus and Amur Oblast. “We are separated by thousands of kilometers. Our destinies however are closely intertwined by shared history, selfless work, especially in the restoration of the national economy destroyed by the war, implementation of large-scale industrial, transport and energy projects,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that the region is the “capital of the Baikal-Amur Mainline,” which marked its half-century anniversary on 8 July. “This is one of the most ambitious projects in the history of mankind. 60,000 Belarusians took part in the construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline,” the head of state said. 

New large-scale infrastructure projects are being implemented in Amur Oblast, and the president mentioned some of them. The Vostochny Cosmodrome has been recently built. The gas chemical giants - Amur Gas Chemical Complex and Amur Gas Processing Plant, natural gas liquefaction complex are under construction. For example, one of such large projects is being implemented in Blagoveshchensk, which has been actively developing recently. The Far East Quarter site envisages the construction of about 334,000 square meters of housing in the city. 

“It means that Belarusian builders will probably be in demand there,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. 

The region’s plans to increase the extraction of minerals make it possible to count on the continuation of supplies of BelAZ truck haulers, the president said.  

The head of state also offered cooperation in electric charging infrastructure equipment. Today Amur Oblast exports electricity.

“The intensive development of electric transport in neighboring China will soon come over the Amur River and will require a more dynamic development of special electric charging infrastructure, the components of which are produced and successfully operated in Belarus for more than five years,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. 

As for the agro-industrial complex, the president mentioned the interest of Belarusian agricultural scientists in the projects of Amur Oblast to modernize the material, technical and technological base of plant growing, livestock breeding, crop breeding, and processing industry. “Belarus has serious competences in this respect,” he stressed. 

“The natural potential of the region makes it possible to significantly diversify the range of agricultural products. We are ready to support you here. Agricultural machinery, including tractors, combine and forage harvesters, attachments, equipment for cattle-breeding and dairy complexes will be in demand as well,” the head of state said. 

Aleksandr Lukashenko also pointed out Belarus’ potential to increase exports of food products, including juices, baby food and other staples, to Amur Oblast.

“It is possible to open a Belarusian trading house in the region for direct supplies of our food products to the region for the needs of social institutions and retail trade,” the president added.

The head of state stressed that he had not given a full list of areas where certain groundwork had already been laid. 

“We are open for further cooperation in the widest range of goods and services,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Your wishes will certainly be taken as a signal for action. The president emphasized Belarus' readiness to provide all possible assistance and support to the Russian region, which is distant for Belarusians only geographically.

According to Vasily Orlov, the trade between the parties is growing. “We believe that there is room to grow further. We have several proposals. We have already met your team, and have worked very effectively,” the governor said. 

Belarusian-made agricultural and industrial machinery is in demand in Amur Oblast. “For example, Belarusian-made tractors account for 40% of the region’s farming fleet, Belarus’ harvesters - for 25%. We consider it expedient to offer our Belarusian friends to set up a multi-brand center of such machinery in Amur Oblast. It could cover the neighboring regions as well,” Vasily Orlov said.

Moreover, this Russian region is interested in cooperation in agro-industrial complex, deep processing of products. According to the governor, there are also good prospects for cooperation in the mining and woodworking industries.

“We are also open for joint ventures. We are ready to provide all necessary support measures the region offers. We also have an advanced development territory operating within the Russian legislation and providing benefits for investors. The Russian government has almost completed drafting a document to develop international territories of advanced development,” Vasily Orlov said.

Another opportunity for cooperation lies in the transportation and logistics sector, given the long border of Amur Oblast with China. “We have accumulated a tremendous experience of working with China. Several transportation and logistics routes have been built up. We are promoting the Amur Corridor project. We invite Belarusian partners, investors to join it,” the governor said.

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