OREANDA-NEWS. On September 22, 2008 Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky and Governor of the Rostov region Vladimir Chub signed the protocol on cooperation between Belarus and the Rostov region of the Russian Federation for 2008-2010, reported the Official website www.government.by.

In line with the inked protocol, the two sides will develop a number of joint projects including the development of the programme on modernization of passenger transport in the Rostov region by MAZ and the Rostov Region Administration, the opening of the Belkommunmash Dealer Centre in the Rostov region.

The Bellegprom Concern and the Bellesbumprom Concern will study the possibility to set up joint wholesale warehouses on the base of the wholesale structures of the Rostov region. An exhibition and fair centre of Belarusian goods is expected to open on the base of the BelAutoMAZ Centre in the Rostov region.

The programmes of the further cooperation between the Gomselmash Company and the Rostselmash Combine Harvesters Making Plant are expected to be developed. The Belarusian Ministry of Transport and communications and the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Building Plant will continue cooperation in purchasing the spare parts for main line electric locomotives.

Moreover, the two sides are expected to hold joint sessions devoted to business cooperation development in Minsk and Rostov na Donu in 2009 and 2010.

Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky expects a substantial increase in Belarus’ trade with the Rostov oblast of Russia. The Belarusian head of Government made the relevant statement as he met with Rostov Oblast Governor Vladimir Chub.

The Rostov oblast is one of the leading trade and economic partners of Belarus. Sergei Sidorsky expressed hope his present visit to the Russian region will contribute to stepping up contacts between the two sides and increasing the mutual trade turnover.

In turn, speaking about prospects of cooperation Rostov Oblast Governor Vladimir Chub said now it is difficult to predict the 2008 trade turnover. “Cooperation between companies and people is important,” stressed the Governor. The purchase of quality semi-finished products, food, manufacturing cooperation between companies as well as sales of Rostov oblast products in Belarus are strategic goals of the Rostov oblast cooperation with Belarus. “I like that we compete for who buys more from the other party. So far Belarus has the advantage,” added Vladimir Chub.

Over the first seven months of the year Belarus’ trade with the Rostov oblast amounted to USD206.4 million, 39.1% up on the same period of last year. Export reached USD 136.7 million (48.9% up), import — USD 69.7 million (23.2% up). The foreign trade surplus amounted to USD 67 million.

In January-July 2008 Belarus exported such products to the Rostov oblast as tractors (USD 21.2 million), boilers, equipment and mechanical devices (USD 17.5 million), plastics and plastic goods (USD 13.7 million), electrical machines and equipment (\\\\$9 million), motor vehicles for cargo transportation (USD 6.8 million), tyres (USD 6.7 million), furniture and accessories (USD 5.8 million), heating and cooking stoves (USD 5.5 million).

The main imports from the Rostov oblast are pipes, pipes and other products made of ferrous metals (USD 13.2 million), sunflower oil (USD 11.9 million), carbon electrodes (USD 6 million), pipes, hoses made of plastics (USD 3.4 million), industrial machines and equipment (USD 2.8 million), bearings (USD 2.5 million), machines or mechanisms for harvesting or threshing agricultural crops (USD 1.8 million).

If Belarus and Russia switch to Russian ruble in their payments right now, it may bring both positive and negative results for the economies of the two countries, Rostov Governor Vladimir Chub told media on September 22.

According to him, the transition to the Russian ruble should be negotiated. “It is a serious matter. We are approaching it slowly, but there are both pros and cons of this transition,” the Governor added.

Vladimir Chub thinks that this transition should be made only when the advantages outnumber disadvantages, “it should not be done in haste”.

Over the seven months of 2008, the trade between Belarus and the Rostov region totaled USD 206.4 million, up 39.1% over the same point of 2007. Exports reached USD 136.7 million, up 48.9%, imports - USD 69.7 million, up 23.2%. Trade surplus was USD 67 million.

On September 22, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky has arrived in this Russian region on a working visit.

In 2007, the trade between Belarus and the Rostov region made up USD 293.1 million (the 13th in the trade between Belarus and the Russian Federation), up 17.2% as against 2006. Exports totaled USD 179.2 million (up 47.8%), imports - USD 113.9 million (down 11.5%). Trade surplus was the highest over the last 12 years - USD65.3 million.

In January-July 2008, Belarus’ major exports to the Rostov region embraced tractors (USD 21.2 million), boilers, equipment and mechanical appliances (USD 17.5 million), plastic (USD 13.7 million), electric machinery and equipment (USD 9 million), transport means for freight hauls (USD 6.8 million).

The exports grew mainly due to an increase in supplies of tractors (up USD 3.1 million, or 16.9%), tyres (up USD 4.8 million or 3.3 times), plastic (up USD 3.5 million or 34.2%), meat and fish finished products (up USD 3.3 million or 4.6%), furniture (up USD 2.5 million or 76.2%), ferrous metals (up USD 2.6 million or 2.1 times), boilers, equipment and mechanical appliances (up USD 2.1 million or 14.2%).

In January-July 2008, imports from the Rostov region included pipes, other products from ferrous metals (USD 13.2 million), sunflower-seed oil (USD 11.9 million), carbons (USD 6 million), plastic pipes and hoses (USD 3.4 million), industrial machinery and equipment (USD 2.8 million), bearings (USD 2.5 million), farm machines (USD 1.8 million).

Imports grew due to the increased supplies of pipes, other products from ferrous metals, industrial machinery and equipment, farm machines, bearings. As the same time the imports of carbons considerably reduced (down USD 2.7 million or 30.6%).