OREANDA-NEWS. June 25, 2009. Belarus is interested in cooperation with the Rostov oblast in agricultural mechanical engineering, engine manufacturing and promotion of sophisticated products, said Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky as he met with Rostov Oblast Governor Vladimir Chub in Minsk, reported the Official website government.by.

Belarus’ trade with the Rostov oblast is dominated by mechanical engineering products — 78%. “We would like to show advance towards innovation technologies. They are our future,” stressed Sergei Sidorsky.

The Prime Minister also invited the Rostov Oblast Governor to Belarus so that they could discuss joint plans of future work in the present complicated economic situation. This year Belarus’ trade with Russia and the Rostov oblast is declining. The trade with Russia shrank by over 40%. “But we believe we could do a lot to overcome the situation,” said Sergei Sidorsky. He reminded about the two countries’ anticrisis action plan signed together with Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin. It can produce a good effect, the Belarusian Prime Minister believes.

However, many matters are blocked today. “We speak about it openly,” underscored the Prime Minister of Belarus. Among reasons behind the situation he named “amateurish actions of officials of both Belarus and Russia”. As a result, some issues relating to the cooperation between the two countries are left unresolved. Sergei Sidorsky added that mutual agreements are successfully addressed, as a rule, at the regional level. But problems with fulfilling instructions emerge at a higher level. “We have a respective attitude towards our partners. The interstate agreement between the two countries should have a high level of realisation,” said the Belarusian head of government. Belarus does its best to build long-term strategic development plans. It is necessary to support jobs, to ensure steady salaries, to promote manufacturing cooperation between enterprises of Belarus and Russia.

Sergei Sidorsky said that implementing the State Innovation Programme Belarus aims to create over 500-600 high-tech enterprises and manufacturing facilities. The level of certification of products and services in the country is high.

Rostov Oblast Governor Vladimir Chub admitted there are tensions in the trade between Belarus and the Russian region. “Our visit to Belarus is meant to address the emerging problems,” he said. It is necessary to alleviate the tension and correct errors committed by executives, the Governor believes.