Lukashenko: Belarus is ready to increase deliveries to the Astrakhan region in order to balance the trade balance
Belarus is ready to increase supplies to the Astrakhan region to balance the trade balance. This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on May 2 during a meeting with the governor of the Astrakhan region of Russia Igor Babushkin, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
Welcoming the regional leader, Alexander Lukashenko noted that Igor Babushkin has been to Belarus several times, knows the country and its capabilities well, and therefore he is a "long-time welcome guest" here. "When the governor comes to us from Russia once again, I appreciate it very much - it means he has questions here and it means we can cooperate more deeply in some areas. Therefore, I am very glad that you and your colleagues came to Belarus, and we will do everything to ensure that the wishes you express are realized," the President assured.
"Everything we can do for your region, and therefore for Russia, we will do," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko. "I promised this to President Putin, including during negotiations in the Volgograd region. For many reasons, we are obliged and must cooperate and move together to ensure our technological sovereignty (it is fashionable to talk about this now). So that people understand that we can do it ourselves, we can have our own. We agreed on this with the President. Therefore, in this regard, we are primarily ready to work together with the Russian Federation."
On the intention to balance the foreign trade balance
The head of state, speaking about trade and economic cooperation with the Russian region, noted that the balance is currently not in favor of Belarus. "We will strive to balance the balance," the President said.
"No, we will not go the American way, and neither will you," Alexander Lukashenko added, hinting at the recent decisions of U.S. President Donald Trump to significantly increase tariffs for a number of countries that have been frequently discussed lately. "Thank God Donald understood that things are not done that way in the economy."
"We are ready for cooperation to increase the flow of our goods to your region to balance the trade balance," the head of state emphasized and named the main areas where the parties can develop cooperation.
On the supplies of agricultural and passenger equipment
The discussion included, in particular, increasing the range and volumes of sales of Belarusian agricultural machinery and attachments for domestic tractors, which are used in significant quantities in the fields of this Russian region. Logically, plows and other trailer and mounted equipment for tractors are necessary for agricultural work, and Belarus is ready to offer a wide range of it. "I must tell you that in terms of quality and price, we have no competitors in the Astrakhan region," the President noted.
According to him, there is demand for such products, especially from African countries, so there are no excess stocks in warehouses. However, if necessary, Belarusian enterprises are ready to produce the required volumes for the Russian side. "We will always produce for Russia. Whether in the third or fifth shift, we will always produce the necessary trailer equipment for tractors and agricultural machinery for you," Alexander Lukashenko said.
Another area for developing cooperation that the President mentioned is the supply of passenger equipment. "Even distant foreign countries are betting not on some personal transport, but on buses, passenger transport. Buses, trolleybuses, trams - we produce all of this. Of very high quality and decent appearance. If you and your specialists have the desire, take a look at the finished products," the head of state suggested. "If something interests you, show it, and we will work together to solve this or that problem."
On the export of food products
The situation with food supplies is similar to that of agricultural machinery, including baby food. "We are always ready to supply you according to your orders," the President said on this topic.
Separately, Alexander Lukashenko touched upon the issue of the operation in the Astrakhan region of one of the leading Belarusian enterprises for milk processing, "Babushkina Krynka." The discussion was about the construction of a milk processing plant in this region and finding an investor for this project. "If you still have interest in this, let us know which investor from your side will be involved. We are ready to work, and "Babushkina Krynka" confirms this aspiration," the President said.
On the modernization of elevators
The President noted that at the request of the Russian side, Belarus has significantly increased the volumes of elevator and related equipment supplies. "Currently, elevator equipment is being re-equipped in all post-Soviet states (it was mainly from Russia and Belarus back then). We have preserved the factory. We can make everything for you from elevators to escalators - anything you like," Alexander Lukashenko said. "You can be sure that in this regard we will continue to be interesting for you and do everything to ensure that this equipment reaches you."
On melioration and cargo transportation through the port
The President drew attention to the extensive experience of the Astrakhan region in conducting melioration. As is known, Belarus is also actively working in this area and is ready both to adopt advanced experience and to share its own developments. "We are also a country, one could say, of meliorators. We are working very seriously now. If there is a need, just let us know, we will agree and will try to work with you and attract your experience to Belarus," Alexander Lukashenko said.
In addition, the President expressed the interest of the Belarusian side in transporting goods through the ports in the Astrakhan region. "We have an interest. We are working with you in this regard. There is a greater interest. If you provide us with support and agree, we will be happy to work through the Astrakhan ports," he noted.
In the list provided by the head of state, of course, not all areas of mutual interest are included; there are many more. Therefore, the President suggested that the leader of the Russian region take a more detailed look at the potential of Belarus during the visit and emphasized the readiness to develop cooperation in the areas of interest.
The trade turnover between Belarus and the Astrakhan region reached a peak value in 2022 - $62 million. According to data for 2024, this figure amounted to nearly $47 million, an increase of 13% compared to 2023. At the same time, Belarusian exports have remained within the range of $12.3 million to $13 million over the past three years.
In January - February of this year, the mutual trade volume exceeded $9 million, which is 72% more than the figures for the same period last year, while exports amounted to $2 million, doubling.
Belarus mainly supplies the Russian region with machines and devices for lifting, moving, unloading, and loading, aluminum rods and profiles, timber, products made of cement, concrete, or artificial stone. From the Astrakhan region, sulfur, flat rolled products, and other steel products, fish, and tomatoes are delivered to our country.