MINSK, 4 April (BelTA) – Belarus invites Kaluga Oblast to implement promising projects across all areas of cooperation, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Kaluga Oblast Governor Anatoly Artamonov on 4 April, BelTA has learnt.

According to the head of state, this way the partners will be able to make the most of their manufacturing, technological and intellectual potential.

The President noted that the parties are already actively cooperating in the construction industry: Belarusian development companies are building residential housing in Kaluga Oblast; in some cases they use Belarusian technologies and materials. “I believe we need to advance to a new level of cooperation and start designing and building infrastructure facilities,” the Belarusian leader said.

Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that Kaluga Oblast and Belarus have well-developed manufacturing industries. In his words, this factor prompts the partners to consider manufacturing cooperation, including the establishment of joint ventures in Belarus and in Kaluga Oblast.

Speaking about cooperation prospects in agriculture, the President emphasized that there are great opportunities to intensify cooperation. Alexander Lukashenko informed that Belarus is ready to share its expertise and knowledge with Kaluga Oblast.

The President also mentioned Belarus’ water treatment solutions and the government program Clean Water that has been running in the country for about 12 years already. The head of state suggested that Kaluga Oblast take advantage of Belarus’ expertise and knowledge in this field.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that the parties have great cooperation prospects in science and technology. “Belarusian scientists would like to run joint projects with research centers and educational institutions of Kaluga Oblast, including projects in nuclear energy, space, medicine, information technologies and energy efficiency,” the President said.

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Kaluga Oblast is a long-standing and reliable partner of Belarus. They have been maintaining partner relations for many years already. This cooperation has a solid historical, economic and humanitarian foundation. The mutual trade has been on the rise in recent years. It approached $570 million in 2013, up nearly 36% compared to 2012. Belarus’ major exports to Kaluga Oblast include foodstuffs, furniture, building materials, farm machines, trucks, metal products, trolleybuses. Kaluga Oblast purchased 33 Belkommunmash trolleybuses in 2013. Belarusian farm machines have also proved their reliability and efficiency.

The Kaluga Oblast Governor praised Belarusian products and specialists. He confirmed that Kaluga Oblast is interested in promoting cooperation with Belarus in the manufacturing industry, agriculture, construction, science, culture and education. “The reason is clear – this cooperation will benefit the both parties,” Anatoly Artamonov said. He noted that Kaluga Oblast can be a springboard for expanding Belarus’ presence in the neighboring markets.