Brylo: we’re working with 72 Russian regions

Belarus and Russia are closely liaising in agriculture and intend to further expand bilateral co-operation – as stated by Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Minister Igor Brylo at the plenary session of the 10th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in Ufa

The head of the Belarusian department noted that the results of the current forum are impressive, and urged to look at it in a historical context, “Comparing with the 1st Forum of the Regions, held in 2014, the trade turnover in the food group has grown by over 50 percent. As part of the preparations for this forum alone, we signed food contracts worth about 26bn Russian Roubles. The number of Russian regions where our products are presented is increasing every year. Today we are working with 72 Russian regions, and not only, as was customary before, with the Central, Northwestern, but also with the Siberian, Far Eastern, Urals districts, etc. In fact, we complement each other with our commodity groups. There is a trade in traditional goods, and at the same time, we began to engage in mutual deliveries of high-tech produce: seeds, planting material, breeding stock, plant protection products, veterinary drugs, feed additives.”

The Agriculture and Food Minister of Belarus noted that the agricultural universities of Belarus and Russia currently have 211 contracts and agreements on bilateral co-operation in the educational and scientific fields. Over the past three years alone, more than 500 joint events have been held for teachers, graduate students, and students.

Moreover, Igor Brylo drew attention to the fruitful collaboration between the two countries in the fishing industry and participation in various exhibitions and fairs.

“Further expansion and strengthening of co-operation with the Russian Federation, of course, will be facilitated by a joint programme to form a unified agrarian policy of the Union State. It gives us an impetus for the development of interaction,” concluded Igor Brylo.