OREANDA-NEWS. December 16, 2009. Belarus and the Chelyabinsk oblast of Russia will set up a joint enterprise in Mozyr to manufacture reclamative machines, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky told media on 15 December.

The agreement was reached when the Prime Minister met with the Chelyabinsk oblast governor. During the talks the sides also reached an agreement on starting manufacturing Belarusian tractors and agricultural machines at Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant and on starting manufacturing BelAZ trucks in the Chelyabinsk oblast. The sides will also tightly cooperate in leasing. “We have agreed that these schemes will be actively promoted because it is important both for Belarus and the Chelyabinsk oblast,” remarked the Prime Minister.

Apart from that, metallurgy practices of the Chelyabinsk oblast will be used in Belarus. In particular, Chelyabinsk oblast companies have been invited to set up a plate rolling enterprise in Belarus. Major areas of cooperation between Belarus and the Chelyabinsk oblast are listed by a 2010-2011 action plan meant to promote trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation between the governments of Belarus and the Chelyabinsk oblast. The document was inked as a Chelyabinsk oblast delegation led by Governor Piotr Sumin visited Minsk on 15 December. The document will foster mutual penetration of businesses of Belarus and the Chelyabinsk oblast, stressed Sergei Sidorsky.

In turn, Chelyabinsk Oblast Governor Piotr Sumin remarked that the Chelyabinsk oblast expects Belarus to remain its strategic partner in addressing social, economic and scientific problems. “A lot has been done and even more has yet to be done,” stressed the Governor. He said that a Belarus delegation should visit the Chelyabinsk oblast in order to assess what is being done to enhance manufacturing cooperation. “We also need to see and occupy all the spare areas which are idle in Belarus and the Chelyabinsk oblast,” he added.

Speaking about prospects of building up cooperation between Belarus and the Chelyabinsk oblast, Piotr Sumin said the two markets have to be expanded. In his opinion, the markets can become stronger, including via promoting regional and international ties.