MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) – The regions of Minsk oblast and Leningrad Oblast of Russia will strengthen their cooperation. The relevant agreement was concluded during the meeting of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee officials with their counterparts from Podporozhye Municipal District of Leningrad Oblast of the Russian Federation, BelTA informs. Taking part in the talks were Chair of the Minsk Oblast Council of Deputies Svetlana Gerasimovich, deputy Chairman of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee Alexander Yermak, Chairman of the Minsk District Council of Deputies Konstantin Likhach, Deputy Chairman of the Minsk District Council of Deputies Sergei Shablyko. The Russian side was represented by Deputy Chairman of the Leningrad Oblast Legislative Assembly Sergei Bebenin, Chairman of Podporozhye Municipal District of Leningrad Oblast Vasily Mosikhin, and Head of Administration of Podporozhye Municipal District of Leningrad Oblast Piotr Levin. Delegations of Leningrad Oblast have often visited Minsk Oblast. The bilateral relations began in 1999 when Lyuban District of Minsk Oblast and Gatchina District of Lenigrad Oblast signed an agreement on trade, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation. In 2004 Leningrad Oblast and Minsk Oblast signed an agreement on trade and economic cooperation. The two regions have concluded five agreements on cooperation in trade, science and culture. The delegation of Podporozhye officials is on an official visit in Minsk Oblast until 22 April. They are scheduled to tour of the reinforced concrete frames plant, passenger bus company, and a farm machinery exhibition. The Russian officials are also set to get familiar with the operation of housing and public utilities complex of Minsk Oblast. In January-February this year the trade between Minsk and Leningrad Oblasts was up 10.6% over the same period last year to $6.6 million, with export reaching $4.5 million, import - $2.1 million. Minsk Oblast had a $2.4mn surplus in trade with Leningrad Oblast. Major export items were plastic products for packaging, transportation of goods ($700 million), metal constructions made of ferrous metals and their parts ($400 million, which was up more 15 times from the same period last year), milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar ($300 million). Major imports were sheets, films and other goods made of plastic ($500 million, up more than 1.5 times over the same period last year), refined petroleum products ($200 million), metal constructions made of ferrous metals and their parts ($200 million). БЕЛТА
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