Minsk, Moscow discussing up to 15 import substitution projects; involvement of 7 Belarusian enterprises approved - ambassador

MINSK. Aug 1 (Interfax) - The governments of Belarus and Russia are discussing the implementation of up to 15 import substitution projects for Belarusian enterprises, Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Dmitry Krutoi said.

Minsk is initiating urgent preparation of a financial cooperation plan, he said.

"We started with industry [cooperation in import substitution], and 14-15 projects are now being discussed at the level of the governments. The Russian side has already approved seven [Belarusian] enterprises for which relevant passports have been made," Krutoi was quoted as saying by the state agency BelTA.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said "a financial cooperation plan needs to be urgently formed for that, it has been discussed at the level of the two countries' leaders," he said.

Lukashenko earlier said Belarus had offered to Russia a number of joint investment projects to substitute for critical imports in a situation of restricted supply of high-tech equipment and parts from the European Union and the United States. Moscow is ready to provide $1.5 billion for the implementation of these projects under an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said.