Alexander Subbotin addressed the participants of the XI Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia

Vitebsk region currently cooperates with 77 regions of Russia. 30 agreements and cooperation plans are being implemented, covering regions of the Central, North-Western, Volga, and Southern Federal Districts, noted the chairman of the regional executive committee, Alexander Subbotin, at the plenary session of the XI Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia.

– Since 2023, Vitebsk region has intensified cooperation with Bashkortostan and Tatarstan, as well as with the Novosibirsk, Kursk, Saratov, and Volgograd regions. After the pandemic, interaction with the Moskovsky District of St. Petersburg and the Smolensk region has been established. Universities, free economic zones, associations of industrialists and entrepreneurs, cultural, healthcare, and tourism organizations have been involved in implementing joint measures within the framework of the Roadmaps. As a result, according to the results of 2023, the volume of mutual trade with the Russian Federation reached the mark of 450 billion Russian rubles for the first time, with a growth rate of 105 percent. For January-April of the current year, we increased joint trade by 1.4 times, with significant growth from regions of the North Caucasian, Southern, Far Eastern, and Ural Federal Districts remote from Vitebsk region, – explained the head of the region.

Alexander Subbotin cited figures that eloquently testify to close contacts. For example, in the machine-building sector, more than 100 enterprises of the Vitebsk region are involved, maintaining cooperative ties with partners from more than 20 regions of Russia in the production of machine tools, power and optical cables, additives for lubricating oils, and composite materials. More than 30 organizations maintain stable cooperation with Russian colleagues in the production of measuring instruments and devices. About 90 percent of the investments attracted to the region come from the regions of the Russian Federation.

– However, in addition to developing mutual trade, negotiations with our partners indicate the need for further development of technological cooperation, – emphasized Alexander Subbotin. – To ensure import substitution, it is necessary to promptly complete the formation of a unified industrial policy of the Union State. Both sides will benefit from this. We have tried to create conditions for a constructive dialogue on these issues at the forum's venues.

"Vitebskiye Vesti"