Avtovaz in favor of mutual localization of vehicle parts produced in Russia, Belarus

MOSCOW. Feb 20 (Interfax) - Avtovaz has proposed developing a unified approach to mutually acknowledging localization of vehicle parts produced in Russia and Belarus in both countries, in order to allow Russian and Belarusian automobile manufacturers to step up the localization of their products and create incentives for this.

These proposals were put forward at a session of Russian Business Week 2026 by Sergei Gromak, deputy CEO for foreign relations and shareholder interactions at JSC Avtovaz.

"In our view, localization could become a tool for international integration with the closest friendly countries to us. And, by the way, the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry has already begun this work, for example, with our allied Belarus," he said.

Gromak said that unification required a localization confirmation system comprising two steps - confirmation from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) and from the Industry and Trade Ministry.

"What am I talking about? If a Russian automobile manufacturer, for example, purchases components from a Belarusian supplier, why should that Russian automobile manufacturer not be awarded extra points for using Belarusian vehicle components? And a Belarusian automobile manufacturer purchasing components from a Russian supplier could also obtain points in the same way, providing the legislation is unified," Gromak said.

He said that the next stage could be to allow mutual access to certain concessions and incentives in both countries.

"A Russian automobile manufacturer purchases Belarusian automobile parts and obtains more points through this - and these same points are recognized in Belarus. I know that work is being done on this. Of course, there is an essential balance required here - every individual state must be examined very carefully. Discussing the unification and integration of localization rules, we must not forget about protecting our own market," Gromak said.