Belarus Strengthens Trade with Russia’s Arkhangelsk Oblast with Focus on Forestry and Pulp & Paper Cooperation

Belarus continues to deepen its economic partnership with Russia’s Arkhangelsk Oblast, a key forest-rich region, with growing cooperation in forestry, woodworking, and pulp and paper industries. Recent discussions between representatives of Belarus and Arkhangelsk Oblast highlighted expanding trade ties and new industrial opportunities.

According to regional officials, Belarus currently accounts for about 30% of Arkhangelsk Oblast’s foreign trade, reflecting the strong economic relationship between the two partners.

The latest meeting of the Belarus–Arkhangelsk Oblast working group reviewed trade and economic cooperation in 2025 and identified several promising sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, and industrial technology exchange.

Forestry and Pulp & Paper Cooperation

Arkhangelsk Oblast is one of Russia’s most forest-rich regions, with a strong industrial base in timber processing and pulp and paper production, making it a natural partner for Belarusian companies in the forestry value chain.

During the visit, the Russian delegation explored Belarusian machinery and industrial capabilities relevant to forestry operations. This included forestry equipment such as the Amkodor FH3081 harvester and FF1681 forwarder, which are currently undergoing testing in the region.

The discussions also involved Belarus’ state concern Bellesbumprom, which oversees the country’s timber, woodworking, and pulp and paper sector. The organization plays a key role in expanding cross-border cooperation in forest resource processing, paper production, and related technologies.

Machinery and Industrial Supply

In addition to forest sector collaboration, Belarus is increasing exports of industrial equipment and vehicles to Arkhangelsk Oblast. Representatives of the Russian region visited major Belarusian manufacturers including:

• Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ)

• Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ)

• BelAZ

• Amkodor Lesmash

These companies showcased machinery for forestry, mining, and public utilities, which could support Arkhangelsk’s resource-based industries and logistics networks.

Outlook

The partnership between Belarus and Arkhangelsk Oblast is expected to expand further under the bilateral cooperation program covering 2023–2026, which focuses on economic, technological, and industrial collaboration.

With Arkhangelsk’s strong timber resources and Belarus’s established manufacturing and forestry equipment sectors, the two sides see significant potential to develop integrated value chains in timber processing, pulp and paper production, and forestry technology.