Belarus, Russia’s Voronezh Oblast outline promising areas of cooperation

MINSK, 25 June (BelTA) – Belarus places great emphasis on working with the regions of the Russian Federation and aims to deepen their engagement in bilateral dialogue, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Terekhov said during a meeting with a delegation from Russia’s Voronezh Oblast hosted by the Belarusian government, BelTA has learned.

“Voronezh Oblast is our crucial economic and trade partner. In 2025, our trade reached $600 million. Construction is the main focus. The projects already implemented allow us to conclude that we know how to cooperate effectively and stand ready to continue our work in this area,” Aleksandr Terekhov noted.

Another area of cooperation is the supply of passenger vehicles to Voronezh and Voronezh Oblast. During a visit to Belarus in April 2025, the regional delegation examined projects aimed at transitioning public transport to electric buses, studying the experiences of Zhodino and Shklov. Subsequently, the vehicles were handed over for trial operation, and sample electric charging stations were installed.

The Belarusian side is also considering participation in upgrading road infrastructure and bridge construction in the region. “We have developed certain expertise, in 2026 alone, we will repair at least five bridges in our country. We stand ready to offer our services,” Aleksandr Terekhov added. 

In agriculture, there are opportunities for joint work in seed production and cooperation through the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation (BNBC).

First Deputy Chairman of the Voronezh Oblast Government Danil Kustov emphasized that cooperation with Belarus is a key priority for the region. Since 2020, he has been overseeing this area as co-chairman of the working group on cooperation between Voronezh Oblast and Belarus.
“When we first started, our trade was at a very modest level. By 2024, we had effectively doubled it,” Danil Kustov noted, adding that exports and imports account for roughly equal shares in the trade structure. A goal has been set for the new five-year period to double these figures once again.

Danil Kustov highlighted construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and social welfare among the primary areas of interaction. In the agricultural industry, in particular, significant prospects are linked first and foremost to livestock breeding, genetics, and seed production.

Photos by Vitaly Pivovarchik/BelTA