The cooperation between Belarus and Russia is dynamically developing in a number of sectors

February 25, Minsk /Natalia Verbitskaya - BELTA/. Cooperation between Belarus and Russia is dynamically developing in a number of sectors. This was stated today by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus Alexander Surikov at the Belarusian-Russian economic forum "Prospects for the Development of Business Cooperation between Belarus and Russia," a BELTA correspondent reports. Cooperation between Belarus and Russia in the banking sector is developing quite dynamically. Currently, most of the systemically important Russian banks have subsidiaries or representative offices in Belarus. According to the ambassador, as of today, Russian capital accounts for almost a quarter of Belarus's banking capital, which is not bad. Alexander Surikov called the joint actions of the Belarusian and Russian sides in the field of mechanical engineering quite successful. In Russia, tractors of Belarusian brands are assembled at several plants. Mechanical engineering activities in the field of agriculture are developing well. At the same time, Alexander Surikov noted that the situation in the light industry and woodworking sectors is somewhat worse. "Although it's unclear why, the markets are open," the ambassador added. According to him, in cooperation in agriculture, there is still a lack of "a clear joint agrarian policy, although both ministries are close to it." Alexander Surikov also believes that the situation in the energy sector is developing one-sidedly. "This leads us to a dead end. We have found ourselves unable to form clear actions in the field of mutually beneficial business related to the extraction, processing, and sale of petroleum products. We still have to overcome this situation," the ambassador noted. Alexander Surikov added that in the gas sector, a "first good strategic step" has been taken by consolidating the assets of Gazprom and Beltransgaz. "After that, everything stopped, and the short-term mood prevails again," the ambassador believes. "We have missed the time to expand business in the field of gas chemistry, energy, and transit." -0-