Belarus is a major strategic partner of Vologda Oblast, Oleg Kuvshinnikov, the Vologda Oblast Governor, told reporters during a press tour for Russian and Belarusian journalists “Flax of the Union State: ancient crop of the future”.
           He noted that the trade between Vologda Oblast and Belarus made up $531 million in 2012. Belarus is the biggest trading partner of Vologda Oblast in the CIS and second biggest trading partner in the world. Vologda Oblast and Belarus concluded a number of intergovernmental agreements that helped build up joint economic potential and expand ties. “Therefore, Belarus is our major strategic partner. I am personally interested in promoting our cooperation,” the Vologda Oblast Governor said. 
         Oleg Kuvshinnikov believes that the two countries could greatly benefit from establishing more joint ventures. “I would like to see more joint ventures in Russia, including in Vologda Oblast. We are most interested in joint ventures producing farm machines,” the governor said. He noted that the first Belarus-Russia joint venture established in Vologda Oblast was an assembly factory manufacturing agricultural machines. The facility operates on the premises of Cherepovets Foundry and Mechanical Plant. The joint venture is actively boosting sales in Russian regions.