Belarus–Russia Industrial Links: Belarusian machinery maker Amkodor has dropped plans to build an agricultural equipment factory in Russia’s Gatchina, switching instead to a service center for repairs of Belarusian equipment and buses. Skills Pipeline: Belarus has officially created the Academy of Intellectual Technologies, set to start training from Sept. 1, 2027, with entry via a republican competition and a focus on natural sciences, industrial and digital technologies. Infrastructure & Transport: Minsk is moving toward major road works: an overpass near the Minsk–Gomel highway is slated for reconstruction with a full traffic shutdown; construction is expected to begin in 2028. Energy & Food Supply Context: Global grain prices are rising as attacks disrupt Black Sea export routes for Russia and Ukraine, tightening supply for the Middle East and Africa. Regional Trade Policy: Latvia’s Saeima backed extending sanctions against Russia and Belarus, widening bans from agricultural goods and animal feed to food products. BRICS Business Angle: India and Russia are fast-tracking a new bilateral investment treaty and pushing industrial cooperation targets, including $100bn trade by 2030.