Belarus and Irkutsk Oblast of the Russian Federation should find reserves to build up their mutual trade, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Governor of Irkutsk Oblast Sergei Levchenko on 6 December.

“We reached a record high trade of $115 million in 2015. This year, however, we are witnessing a considerable decline. In order to rectify the situation we need to find reserves to step up our mutual trade. Economy is a basis of any relations. We will have to find those reserves whether we want it or not,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Belarusian goods and technologies were offered to Irkutsk Oblast to help it implement its goals.

“I believe that there are good prospects for cooperation in the delivery of mine, cargo and other special-purpose vehicles and equipment, as well as loaders for your coal and other deposits. Besides, we are ready to supply agricultural, passenger and road construction vehicles and machinery, develop production cooperation, including with companies of the military industrial complex. We are ready to set up joint companies in Irkutsk Oblast as we have already done in other Russian regions,” the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that Belarus and Irkutsk Oblast should work together on the search for mutually beneficial joint projects in agriculture. “Our agrarians cultivate high-yield varieties of potato and grain. I know you need it,” the President added.

According to the head of state, prospects are also high for cooperation in the construction sector. “You have ambitions tasks. You plan to build up to 1.5 million square meters of housing a year. Belarus has the relevant experience. We once were an exemplary construction complex, and we remain to be so. We are ready to implement turn-key construction projects for you,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

During the current visit to Belarus the delegation of Irkutsk Oblast has already visited the country's high-tech companies, including MAZ, MTZ, and the agricultural company Zhdanovichi.

“If you find any areas of our development interesting, we are ready not only to come and help you do it, but also work together with you,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed.