During the working visit of the delegation of the Republic of Belarus to the Murmansk region, the parties discussed key areas of cooperation, including the development of logistics chains, as well as the construction of a new port terminal in Murmansk. Prime Minister of the Republic Roman Golovchenko noted a number of unique opportunities provided by the geographical location of our region.
"We are deliberately going to Murmansk, and the head of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly said this. Here is a set of absolutely unique factors: the ice-free Kola Bay, free exits conditionally to two oceans. Everyone who works here and will work here is deprived of the risks that are potentially present in the Baltic Sea in terms of freedom of movement of vessels. Plus, the Northern Sea Route is certainly the future for it. There is still a lot to be done in this direction. I asked my colleagues to familiarize us in depth with the prospects for the development and full functioning of the NSR, but even without this it is clear that in fact it is a free exit to the Atlantic," Roman Golovchenko said.
The head of the Government of Belarus also noted that the Murmansk Region has a developed railway network, and a large–scale investment program is being implemented, including the construction of new access roads.
"There is a very good capacity for rail transport, there are no major cities that are slowing down, through which the passage of transport is difficult. From the point of view of the totality of all these indicators, we focused on the Murmansk region. There are a number of proposals that we intend to consider in detail and focus on one of these options in order to further dive directly into the economy and structuring of a possible transaction. The figures speak for themselves: in 3 months of this year, we transported 3 times more cargo through Murmansk than in the whole of last year. I am sure these figures will grow this year. Today I have to decide for myself, report to the head of state on the government's proposals for a final decision. Next, we will quickly move on to the stage of direct business planning, legal elaboration of the transaction. The issue was first raised during the visit of Governor Andrei Chibis to Belarus 9 months ago. Today, the options have already been sufficiently worked out," commented Roman Golovchenko, and thanked the Murmansk team for their active involvement in the process and operational work.
Governor Andrey Chibis noted broad prospects for cooperation, which, in addition to logistics, include large-scale trade turnover, joint activities in the field of construction, transport, culture and education.
"The partnership that already exists is a solid foundation, the dynamics has been steadily growing in recent years, it is definitely mutually beneficial. We have set up cooperation in different directions. The key is logistics. As it was announced last autumn at a meeting with the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the construction of a terminal here is one of the most ambitious, global projects. Both our team and our partners have seriously prepared. During the visit of colleagues, we will receive some kind of fixing of plans. Plus, we are mutually growing in terms of turnover, this is due to economic security and ensuring the functioning of enterprises. Our aquaculture enterprises now receive almost the entire volume of feed from Belarusian partners. Belarusian mining equipment is actively used in our territory. New types of mining equipment, which Belarusian partners are currently working on, will allow replacing the supply of necessary equipment, for obvious reasons. The volume of the consumer market is also growing: fish products, consumer goods, food. Also, road construction, passenger transport, education and exchange of practices, joint scientific work and exchange of students is a powerful potential," commented the head of the Murmansk region.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /