Belarus, Russia’s Tatarstan see reserves in boosting cooperation
12:02, 27 November
Chairman of the Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry (Belneftekhim) Ilya Ikan and Tatarstan's representative in Belarus Ilkham Kashapov discussed mutual interests of Belarus and the Russian region. Cooperation in petrochemistry, where Belneftekhim plays a fundamental role, is among the key aspects, BelTA learned from the Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry.
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Belneftekhim is the responsible curator of bilateral business contacts. Good relations between Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Tatarstan’s head Rustam Minnikhanov also serve as a powerful incentive to deepen integration.
“Belarusians are a brotherly people for Tatars. We value the established relations and are proud that despite any external factors, we remain close in spirit and priorities,” Tatarstan’s representative in Belarus said.
Ilkham Kashapov became the head of the Trade and Economic Representative Office of Tatarstan in Belarus in April 2024. Ilkham Kashapov has been tasked not only to double the mutual trade, but also to resume and revitalize the work of the Tatarstan representative office in Minsk.
It was noted that a lot had already been done. Ilkham Kashapov together with a delegation of Tatarstan scientists and industry experts, headed by President of the Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan Rifkat Minnikhanov, visited the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and a number of its research institutes in October, participated in the implementation of one of the joint projects under the Education Ministry, and held a number of preliminary talks. The Tatarstan’s representative is already familiar with the leading Belarusian petrochemical enterprises: he visited their joint stand and talked to the specialists during the Tatarstan Oil and Gas Chemical Forum in Kazan in August.
According to Ilkham Kashapov, a high level of interaction has been established between the parties, as well as stable ties have been developed between Belarusian and Tatarstan enterprises, including on complementary supplies of chemical raw materials. However, there are still reserves for increasing the share of industrial cooperation.
According to Belneftekhim, the relations between Belarus and Tatarstan are regulated by the roadmap of cooperation, which is regularly updated. One of the main stages of its implementation will be a visit of the head of Tatarstan to Belarus. The parties are also working to sign a twinning agreement between Minsk and Kazan.
Ilya Ikan assured Ilkham Kashapov that Belneftekhim is ready to further develop the bilateral cooperation between Belarus and Tatarstan, to promptly assist in solving emerging issues, and to initiate the implementation of new joint projects in all areas.
“Belarus-Tatarstan cooperation, in particular through the prism of Belneftekhim's work, has a significant potential for development, which will contribute to the economic growth of both parties and strengthen their positions both in domestic and foreign markets,” Ilya Ikan stressed. “The degree of interaction that has already been achieved we will be increased further”.
