Belarus holds talks with Yandex on expanding services in country

MINSK. April 18 (Interfax) - Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin and Transport Minister Alexei Lyakhnovich held talks with Yandex corporate development advisor Alexei Kudrin on expanding the Russian technology group's range of services in the country.

"Alexander Turchin held a meeting with the senior management of Yandex. The prime minister and Yandex's advisor on corporate development Alexei Kudrin discussed the prospects of applying the company's latest artificial intelligence technologies in Belarus. Transport and Communications Minister Alexei Lyakhnovich took part in the meeting," the Transport Ministry reported.

Key initiatives that were discussed at the meeting included the "possibility of launching self-driving transport between the capital and satellite cities, the introduction of robotaxis in Minsk, and the provision of rental services for automobiles equipped with a device for maximum monitoring of driver condition for those who want to earn additional income in taxi services," the ministry said.

"Given the friendly relations of our countries, cooperation within the context of the Union State, we can do more in the interests of Belarus and Russia. We found a common language and will move in this direction," Kudrin was quoted as saying in the press release.