Minnikhanov: Trade between Belarus and Russia’s Tatarstan positioned for growth
Rustam Minnikhanov
MINSK, 13 April (BelTA) — Trade between Belarus and Russia’s Tatarstan exceeds $1 billion, but there is potential for significant growth, the head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov told the media after a meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk on 13 April, BelTA has learned.
«Our trade is about $1 billion, this figure may not be small, but the potential is much greater,» the head of the region said.
According to him, new challenges, including sanctions, forced suppliers to redirect flows and find new logistics routes. This applies, for example, to the automotive industry. «We are sincerely grateful to our partners from Belarus for parts and components for our automotive plants,» Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized.
Cooperation between Belarus and Tatarstan in the field of aircraft construction holds a great promise, Rustam Minnikhanov believes. The agreement has been reached to make aircraft parts in Belarus for Kazan Aircraft Plant. “We believe that we have good prospects in cooperation in the petrochemical industry, not only in terms of mutual supplies, but also setting up production facilities,» the head of the region added. “There is a very interesting project in biotechnology – extensive processing of grain. We will actively explore this topic too.”
The parties are also planning to step up cooperation in education (student exchange), culture ( Days of Culture of Tatarstan in Belarus scheduled for September), sport and tourism. «All these issues are of great interest both for Tatarstan and for Belarus,» Rustam Minnikhanov summed up.
