Belarus strengthens co-operation with Russian regions

Belarus and Russia’s Chuvash Republic have the potential to double their mutual trade by the end of 2024, as stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, during his meeting with Oleg Nikolayev, the head of this Russian region, at the Palace of Independence in Minsk. According to the President, the Chuvash Republic is a new but very promising partner for Belarus. In 2023, the trade turnover amounted to $122 million, which was similar to the previous year. Aleksandr Lukashenko has outlined promising areas where enhanced bilateral co-operation aligns with mutual interests.

Manufacturing sector

Transportation and machinery building

Belarusian passenger vehicles are well-known to Chuvashia, as the President noted. MAZ trolleybuses assembled at the Ufa plant are used in Cheboksary. This year, the contract for almost 100 new vehicles has been supplemented by another 40. “I know that the region is actively buying Belarusian trucks, agricultural, municipal, road and special-purpose machinery. We have something to offer you, especially since the model range is regularly updated,” Aleksandr Lukashenko highlighted.  

Agro-industrial complex

Humanitarian sector

Aleksandr Lukashenko also believes it is necessary to enhance co-operation in the humanitarian sector, including science, education, culture and sports. “We will not have any problems here,” the Belarusian leader said.
The President emphasised the reliability of Belarus in fulfilling its partnership obligations. “I want you to know that everything we agree on will be fulfilled in full,” the Head of State assured. “If there are any issues on which we should make a decision right now, I will do it with great pleasure. If not, stay for a while here, visit production facilities, enterprises, talk to the government members and make the corresponding decisions,” the Head of State said.

Construction and healthcare. Additional proposals for co-operation from Chuvashia

Oleg Nikolayev thanked Aleksandr Lukashenko for close attention to the interaction with Russian regions and, in particular, with the Chuvash Republic as part of integration processes. “Thanks to this, our areas of interaction are constantly expanding and deepening,” he said.
According to the head of the Russian region, a large delegation of more than 70 specialists from Chuvashia has arrived in Belarus. “In addition to the areas you have mentioned, we have made serious progress in construction and healthcare. We see great prospects in these areas for mutually enriching and supporting each other,” Oleg Nikolayev remarked.

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President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has met with Governor of Russia’s Primorsky Krai Oleg Kozhemyako

“Vladivostok is geographically distant, but we have close ties with it. A testimony to that are our frequent meetings and agreements that we reach during them. There is no point in discussing what Belarus and the Primorsky Krai can or cannot do, because we already know it. I often talk with Russian President and inform him on our meetings, on the needs of the Far East — which is actually not that far for us — on requests of the governor of the Primorsky Krai. I even say jokingly that he has already taken everything out, and when there is not enough money in the budget, he uses his personal funds to work for the benefit of Russia,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.  
Oleg Kozhemyako remarked that the Primorsky Krai attaches great importance to partnership with Belarus. “Thanks to our co-operation, residents of the Primorsky Krai have an opportunity to buy Belarusian products that they really like. Our trade in agricultural and mechanical engineering products is growing year by year. It was worth ₽1.5 billion at the outset, while the current figure stands at ₽22.5 billion. This is mutually beneficial as our export has also increased threefold, Belarus started buying more goods from us,” the governor noted.   

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The Pervyi [First] new merch store from the President has opened at Minsk National Airport

BELTA

The store with merch from the Head of State unveiled at Minsk National Airport has become the fourth in a row in Belarus, with three more branded outlets located at Stolitsa and Zamok shopping malls and the First [Pershy] National Trade House.
The store’s assortment includes branded T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies with quotes, signatures and images of the President. There are also haberdashery products and pillows. The prices are affordable. Thus, a children’s T-shirt costs Br21, and a polo shirt — Br43.
BELTA

“In addition, the leader of our country has a good sense of humour and knows how to clearly note pressing issues, give instructions through interesting quotes or send important messages to the people. I think products featuring the images and photos of our President will be especially popular among the guests of the new store.” 
Vadim Pravlotsky, Deputy Director General for Aviation Security and Regime at Minsk National Airport, also visited the opening of a new outlet selling the President’s merch. “The Pervyi merch is a great idea for gifts and souvenirs from Belarus. I have my own favourite T-shirts with quotes from the Head of State, such as ‘It will be very interesting’, ‘Don’t give away your beloved’ and ‘We will not let you bend us down’ — these are very clear and meaningful phrases,” Vadim Pravlotsky said.
The Pervyi store at Minsk National Airport will be open around the clock, seven days a week.