The government of Belarus has begun discussions on the creation of additional port facilities to export Belarusian products to neighbouring Russia.
The country's President, Aleksandr Lukashenko, said the facilities will be for the transshipment of potash fertilisers and other export commodities to Saint Petersburg and other ports in north-western Russia.
Belarus' existing port infrastructure and accessibility are the "weak links" in the planned supply chain, added Mr Lukashenko.
All possible options are now being considered with each option's viability, cost, time of construction, payback, and possible risks also being deliberated.
Mr Lukasheko stressed that the proposed port must be built "quickly and at minimal cost," in addition to being the most convenient and most sensible option in terms of logistics.