OREANDA-NEWS. June 27, 2008. Belarus will open a trade representation in the Samara region of the Russian Federation in the near future, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky noted during his meeting with Governor of the Samara Region, Chairman of the Samara Government Vladimir Artyakov on June 25. According to Sergei Sidorsky, the trade mission will promote the trade and economic relations between Belarus and the Samara region. On the whole, the trade between Belarus and the Samara region is active, the Prime Minister noted.

In 2007, the trade reached about \\$400 million. In January-April 2008, the trade hit \\$300 million, or three times up over the same period last year. Belarus mainly imports oil and oil products from the Samara region. “However, the main thing is that we have boosted the mutual supplies of the machinery produced in the Samara region and Belarus,” the Belarusian Prime Minister noted.

During the meeting, the Premier noted the recent meeting of the Belarusian and Russian presidents in Brest where they discussed the cooperation ties between Belarusian and Russian companies. “We will set up new industrial productions in the Samara region,” Sergei Sidorsky noted. “We have a number of interesting projects,” he added.

During a visit to Belarus, members of the Samara delegation intend to visit a number of Belarusian companies that allows the two sides to open new possibilities to develop contacts between economic entities. “I think we have a good potential for further development,” the Head of the Belarusian Government is sure.

According to Governor Vladimir Artyakov, the Samara oblast invites Belarusian companies to partake in implementing projects in the region.

“We visited many Belarusian companies, which could partake in large projects announced in the oblast. Those are two industrial clusters — Samara and Tolyatti ones,” he said.

According to Vladimir Artyakov, the parties have reached a new development stage. “All the previous agreements between Belarus and the Samara oblast are being implemented stage by stage. In the future we will keep the same pace in mind,” stressed the Governor.

Vladimir Artyakov also named the opening of Belarus’ trade representative office in the Samara oblast an important event. “Contacts will be more direct now. Besides, we have things to learn from Belarus,” he remarked. The Samara oblast is interested in buying Belarus-made road machines, street cleaning and refuse collecting machines, agricultural machines, automobiles.

“There are also ideas to set up joint production facilities in the Samara oblast. I believe it is necessary to start their implementation. I am convinced we can do it,” stressed Vladimir Artyakov.