Lukashenko: Belarus is ready to increase supplies to the Astrakhan region to balance the trade balance.

ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO Alexander Lukashenko Alexander Lukashenko

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May 2, MINSK . Belarus is ready to increase supplies to the Astrakhan Region to balance its trade balance. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced this on May 2 at a meeting with Igor Babushkin, Governor of the Russian Astrakhan Region, BelTA reports.

Welcoming the regional governor, Alexander Lukashenko noted that Igor Babushkin has visited Belarus many times, knows the country and its potential well, and is therefore a "long-time welcome guest." "Whenever a governor comes to us from RUSSIA again, I greatly appreciate it – it means he has questions here, and it means we can cooperate more deeply in certain areas. Therefore, I am very glad that you and your colleagues have come to Belarus, and we will do everything to ensure that the wishes you express are realized," the President assured.

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"We will do everything we can for your region, and therefore for Russia," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. "I promised this to President Putin, including during the talks in the Volgograd Region. For many reasons, we are obligated and must cooperate and move forward together to ensure our technological sovereignty (as is now fashionable to say). So that people understand that we can do things independently, we can do our own thing. We agreed on this with the President. Therefore, in this regard, we are ready, first and foremost, to work together with the Russian Federation."

On the intention to balance the foreign trade balance
. Speaking about trade and economic cooperation with the Russian region, the HEAD of state noted that the balance is currently unfavorable for Belarus. "We will strive to balance the balance," the President said.

"No, we won't follow the American path, and neither will you," added Alexander Lukashenko, alluding to US President Donald Trump's recent decisions to significantly increase tariffs on a number of countries, which have been widely discussed recently. "Thank God Donald has realized that economics doesn't work that way."

"We are ready to cooperate to increase the flow of our goods to your region and balance the trade balance," the head of state emphasized, naming the main areas where the parties can develop cooperation.

On the supply of agricultural and passenger equipment.
The discussion focused, in particular, on increasing the range and volume of sales to the Astrakhan Region of Belarusian agricultural equipment and attachments for domestic tractors, which are used in significant quantities in the fields of this Russian region. It is logical that agricultural work requires plows and other trailed and attached equipment for tractors, and Belarus is ready to offer a wide range of them. "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 stockpiles. However, if necessary, Belarusian companies are ready to produce the volumes Russia requires. "We will always produce for Russia. Whether it's a third or fifth shift, we will always produce the necessary trailer equipment for tractors and agricultural machinery for you," Alexander Lukashenko said.

The President cited the supply of passenger vehicles as another area for developing cooperation. "Even distant foreign countries are relying not on just any personal transport, but on buses, passenger transport. Buses, trolleybuses, trams—we produce all of these. They are of very high quality and presentable in appearance. If you and your specialists are interested, take a look at the finished products," the head of state suggested. "If something interests you, show us, and we will work together to solve this or that problem." Regarding food exports, the situation is similar with agricultural machinery and food supplies, 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 work of one of Belarus's leading MILK processing companies, Babushkina Krynka, in the Astrakhan Region . The discussion focused on the construction of a milk processing plant in the region and the search for an investor for this project. "If you're still interested in this, tell us who the investor will be. We're ready to work, and Babushkina Krynka confirms this commitment," the President said. Regarding elevator modernization , the President noted that, at Russia's request, Belarus had significantly increased the supply of elevators and related equipment. "All post-Soviet states are currently being re-equipped with elevator equipment (at the time, it was mainly from Russia and Belarus). We've preserved the plant. We can make everything from elevators to escalators—anything you like," Alexander Lukashenko said. "You can be sure that we'll remain of interest to you in this regard and will do everything to ensure you receive this equipment." Regarding land reclamation and cargo transportation through the port, the President noted the Astrakhan Region's extensive experience in land reclamation. Belarus is also actively working in this area and is ready to both adopt best practices and share its own developments. "We are also a country of land reclamation specialists, so to speak. We are working very seriously now. If the need arises, let us know, we will come to an agreement, and we will try to work with you and bring your expertise to Belarus," said Alexander Lukashenko. Furthermore, the President expressed Belarus' interest in transporting cargo through ports in the Astrakhan region. "We are interested. We are working with you on this. There is greater interest. If you support us, and if we have your consent, we will be happy to work through the Astrakhan ports," he noted.










The list cited by the head of state, of course, does not include all areas of mutual interest; there are many more. Therefore, the President invited the head of the Russian region to more thoroughly explore Belarus's potential during his visit and emphasized his willingness to develop cooperation in areas of interest.

Trade turnover between Belarus and the Astrakhan Region over the past five years peaked in 2022 at $62 million. According to data for 2024, this figure stood at almost $47 million, an increase of 13% compared to 2023. Moreover, Belarusian exports over the past three years have remained between $12.3 million and $13 million.

In January-February of this year, mutual trade in goods exceeded $9 million, 72% more than in the same period last year, while exports reached $2 million, doubling.

Belarus supplies the Russian region primarily with lifting, handling, loading, and unloading machinery and equipment, aluminum rods and profiles, timber, and cement, concrete, and artificial stone products. The Astrakhan region supplies our country with sulfur, flat-rolled products, and other steel products.fish and tomatoes.