The Belarusian share of the Russian pie: permission to participate in state programs in the regions

Belarus continues to increase trade and economic contacts with Russian regions with participation in regional state programs, in particular, the social gasification of the Smolensk region. However, MAZ’s participation in St. Petersburg public transport reform is under threat due to the frequency of fires on Belarusian buses.

Given the logistical impasse on its western borders, Belarus is developing direct contacts with Russian regions to promote its products and as an alternative transit corridor.

Minsk expects to expand its participation in a large-scale social program to gasify the Smolensk region. The Belgazstroy holding company has already taken part in implementing the first projects for gasification of the western region of Russia. The Gazprom budget for social gasification of the Smolensk region in 2021 – 2025 is 7.38 billion Russian roubles.

Belarus is trying to maintain its position in the Russian city bus market following the St. Petersburg authorities’ decision to suspend the operation of Belarusian buses due to frequent fires. The Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) had expected to supply 889 buses due to transport reform in the northern capital of Russia.

Russian regions, such as Chelyabinsk, see benefits from the increase in cooperation between Belarus and Iran. Trade turnover between the countries tripled to 100 million roubles last year, and in the spring of this year, Minsk and Tehran agreed to expand cooperation and agreed on a roadmap through to 2026. The Defence Ministries of Belarus and Iran also signed a memorandum on military cooperation.

Belarus has restricted the export of poultry meat to Russia and other countries except China without prior warning or stating reasons. Rosselkhoznadzor will discuss the matter with the Belarusian Department of Veterinary and Food Supervision.

Belarus and the Russian Federation signed another roadmap concerning harmonising the classification of minerals.

After the inaugural event in Moscow, Minsk will host the second CIS Games, aiming to give the population the illusion of integration into the world community. The organisers say the games have expanded from 11 to 22 countries since 2021, with over two thousand participants.