Belarus, Russia's Kaluga Oblast sign cooperation program for 2021-2023

 Belarus and Russia's Kaluga Oblast have signed a cooperation program for 2021-2023, BelTA learned from the press service of the State Committee on Science and Technology of Belarus. “Mechanical engineering, agricultural and food industries, healthcare, ICT, petrochemistry, construction, science and technology will be the priority areas of cooperation between enterprises and organizations of Belarus and Kaluga Oblast in the near future. Plans are in place to intensify cooperation in science and technology, strengthen ties between universities, and exchange information about innovations and high technology,” the press service noted. Other cooperation areas include upgrading lifting equipment and the public passenger transport fleet of Kaluga Oblast and supplying buses and electric transport of the Belarusian mechanical engineering companies MAZ and Belkommunmash as well as products of Belarusian machine tool building, metalworking, electrical engineering, and other enterprises. In line with the prime minister's executive order, Chairman of the State Committee on Science and Technology Aleksandr Shumilin will be responsible for the development of cooperation with Kaluga Oblast. “Russia's Kaluga Oblast is Belarus' long-standing and important trade partner. In January-September 2020, our trade amounted to $412.2 million. Belarus' major exports include constructions from ferrous metals, medicines, insulated cables, agricultural products, and trucks,” the press service noted. The parties also implement several investment projects, including in construction. In 2013-2020, Belarusian organizations built more than 20 residential houses, three schools, and four kindergartens in Kaluga Oblast. The construction of other social infrastructure facilities is underway.