Lukashenko made an interesting offer to a major Russian businessman

The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting in Minsk offered the Russian businessman and the head of the companies "Interros" and "Norilsk Nickel" Vladimir Potanin closer cooperation. This was reported by the press service of the Belarusian leader.

"Considering that Interros is not only Norilsk Nickel, it is a diversified structure, we have something to talk about. I think there is a convergence of many interests. And I asked our Prime Minister to tell you in detail the main directions of development of Belarus and the points where we can cooperate. We are open for cooperation. And we would like your company (a successful company, even in these difficult times) to cooperate with Belarus," Lukashenko said.

He also noted that Vladimir Potanin is a person well—versed in many issues, and he himself knows perfectly well the directions in which cooperation can be developed.

"Mining dump trucks. Surprisingly for me, it turned out that they are also interested in tires — our "Belshina" production. And common projects for the maintenance and creation of new equipment in the Krasnoyarsk Territory are also an interesting and promising project for us. You are a multi—industry specialist in your structure - there is both a humanitarian direction and an IT sphere. We know how to do something in Belarus. You also know perfectly well what we can do," he stressed.

In addition, the Belarusian leader drew attention to the fact that Vladimir Potanin has Belarusian roots.

"We are fellow countrymen by our roots. You have a grandfather from Mogilev region… Everything is to ensure that you pay attention to Belarus and we cooperate more closely with you in this regard," Lukashenko said.

In turn, Potanin noted that he had been thinking for a long time before coming to Minsk about which areas were of mutual interest for cooperation.

"Believe me, we have seriously considered all possibilities. And I am very glad that during the trip it is possible to turn general plans into concrete projects," he said.

The head of the companies mentioned the cooperation agreement signed on the eve between Norilsk Nickel and BelAZ in order to combine efforts to develop scientific and technological potential for the creation of new generation mining equipment, the introduction of unmanned technologies for mining and other innovations. It is envisaged to create a joint venture to implement these plans, as well as an enterprise with a full-profile repair base in order to develop the production, repair and maintenance of underground mining equipment.

"This allows us not only to solve the issue of saturation with mining equipment of our enterprise. Joint cooperation will make it possible to create a new line of equipment, which, according to our calculations, our hopes, will successfully compete with the best samples. Because we are adding elements of work related to unmanned projects, with new types of engines — more economical, safer. And in general, we tried to combine our cooperation in the field of traditional mining equipment and other areas with developments in the field of artificial intelligence, working with big data," Potanin emphasized.

BELAZ and Norilsk Nickel signed a cooperation agreement the day before. The goal is to combine efforts to develop scientific and technological potential for the creation of a new generation of mining equipment, the introduction of unmanned technologies for mining and other innovations. It is envisaged to create a joint venture to implement these plans, as well as an enterprise with a full-profile repair base in order to develop the production, repair and maintenance of underground mining equipment.