The X International Economic Forum "Innovations. Investments. Prospects" has started in Vitebsk
The X International Economic Forum "Innovations. Investments. Prospects" is taking place in Vitebsk. 15 delegations from the Russian Federation, the Republic of Crimea, India, and Iran – more than a hundred people in total – have arrived in the northern capital of Belarus to familiarize themselves with the latest scientific developments of our scientists, find reliable partners, and make interesting promising acquaintances for business development.
The anniversary forum is being held for the first time on the territory of the Vitebsk free economic zone and coincided with the Slavianski Bazaar arts festival. This made it possible to attract maximum attention to the event and give guests a more comprehensive impression of the region and the country as a whole. This was stated at the opening of the forum by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin.
– Despite the fact that the forum is focused on economic cooperation, we always try to show how the region is developing, to outline prospects for cooperation and growth points in all sectors, from industry to logistics and tourism, – noted Alexander Mikhailovich. – For any investor, it is extremely important to understand what the region in which he intends to do business lives by. I want to emphasize the main thing: we are open to interesting projects and will do everything to ensure the success of our partners' businesses.
The region has accumulated rich experience in implementing the boldest, and sometimes unexpected, ideas. Annually, about one billion dollars of investments are attracted to the region's economy, and 3–4 thousand new jobs are created. The head of the region emphasized that the imposed sanctions do not hinder the emergence of innovative production in the fields of machine building, woodworking, and the agricultural sector. He noted that the construction of social facilities continues in the region, and work on import substitution, localization of production, and support for domestic producers has been significantly intensified. Given that the main theme of the forum was the issues of import substitution in the implementation of innovative projects, Alexander Subbotin expressed hope for cooperation in this matter with Russian ppartners. Much has already been done.
– Our enterprises have developed high competencies in the field of power optical cable production, water treatment equipment, lubricant additives for all types of engines, and a wide range of devices and sensors capable of operating in aggressive environments, – noted the head of the Vitebsk region. – We maintain competitiveness in the production of footwear, flooring, fiberglass products, flax, peat, and wood. We intend to develop competencies in the field of bio- and nanotechnologies.
Alexander Subbotin, together with the State Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev, Chairman of the State Committee on Science and Technology of the Republic of Belarus Sergey Shlychkov, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea – Permanent Representative of the Republic of Crimea to the President of the Russian Federation Georgy Muradov, and other distinguished guests, familiarized themselves with the achievements of young Vitebsk scientists and advanced enterprises of the region.
Representatives of the Vitebsk State Technological University presented, among other things, insulation and bitumen – unique materials made with the addition of recycled textiles. This technology allows for a manifold increase in product strength. The commercialization of these projects alone exceeded expectations by 30 times in the first year! Scientists from VSU named after P. M. Masherov have developed geoinformation systems for monitoring agricultural land. This technology allows for an increase in crop yields, which is confirmed by the company "Sushchev-Agro," where it is already being used.
The participants of the forum were interested in the innovative products of Vitebskdrev LLC. The enterprise is the only one in Belarus and Russia that produces moisture-resistant boards. Currently, fire-resistant boards are undergoing certification. The General Director of Vitebskdrev, Yuri Doylin, said that the components previously imported from Europe for production are now purchased in Russia. Sales markets have also expanded in this direction.
More70 percent of the peat processed by the Vitebskoblgaz enterprise is supplied for export. It is one of the largest subsoil users in the country. Dmitry Klimovich, engineer of the marketing sector of foreign economic relations of UP Vitebskoblgaz, noted that peat reserves will provide work for more than half a century. Undoubtedly, this product aroused the interest of the forum participants.
Vladimir Katenev, President of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that the trade turnover between Belarus and the northern capital of Russia amounts to more than 2.5 billion dollars. – Recently, our Kirov Plant signed a cooperation agreement with its Belarusian colleagues on working on the creation of high-power tractors that are almost one hundred percent independent of supplies from unfriendly countries, – noted Vladimir Ivanovich. – Vitebsk is of interest to us in terms of woodworking, light and food industries. I am sure that we have interesting projects in the field of tourism, education and science ahead of us.
His colleague from the Pskov region, Vladimir Zubov, noted that cooperation between the regions of the two countries has not ceased since the Soviet Union. Many enterprises complement each other. For example, the Pskov region produces rubber footwear, and the Vitebsk region produces winter insoles for it. And there are many such collaborations.
Abdehinejad Hamidreza Abbas, a representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, spoke about plans to establish the production of biodegradable tableware, packaging, nut pastes, dairy products, and biologically active additives in the Vitebsk region. The fact that he is ready to invest about 40 million dollars in his project testifies to the serious intentions of the foreign partner.
Within the framework of the forum, seven cooperation agreements were signed. In particular, the FEZ Vitebsk signed a memorandum of intent to create the production of electrical products with the Russian company "Center for Construction Equipment", as well as a cooperation agreement with the Skolkovo Foundation. Orie Galvanymetal LLC (Iran, Russia) became a new resident of the free economic zone.е specializes in hot-dip galvanizing.
Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Anzhelika Nikitina noted that perhaps holding the investment forum in a new format will become traditional, and Vitebsk will rightfully be considered not only the cultural but also the business capital of Belarus.
The forum allowed partners to get to know each other better, identify options for interaction, and laid the foundation for long-term partnership and cooperation.
The anniversary forum is being held for the first time on the territory of the Vitebsk free economic zone and coincided with the Slavianski Bazaar arts festival. This made it possible to attract maximum attention to the event and give guests a more comprehensive impression of the region and the country as a whole. This was stated at the opening of the forum by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin.
– Despite the fact that the forum is focused on economic cooperation, we always try to show how the region is developing, to outline prospects for cooperation and growth points in all sectors, from industry to logistics and tourism, – noted Alexander Mikhailovich. – For any investor, it is extremely important to understand what the region in which he intends to do business lives by. I want to emphasize the main thing: we are open to interesting projects and will do everything to ensure the success of our partners' businesses.
The region has accumulated rich experience in implementing the boldest, and sometimes unexpected, ideas. Annually, about one billion dollars of investments are attracted to the region's economy, and 3–4 thousand new jobs are created. The head of the region emphasized that the imposed sanctions do not hinder the emergence of innovative production in the fields of machine building, woodworking, and the agricultural sector. He noted that the construction of social facilities continues in the region, and work on import substitution, localization of production, and support for domestic producers has been significantly intensified. Given that the main theme of the forum was the issues of import substitution in the implementation of innovative projects, Alexander Subbotin expressed hope for cooperation in this matter with Russian ppartners. Much has already been done.
– Our enterprises have developed high competencies in the field of power optical cable production, water treatment equipment, lubricant additives for all types of engines, and a wide range of devices and sensors capable of operating in aggressive environments, – noted the head of the Vitebsk region. – We maintain competitiveness in the production of footwear, flooring, fiberglass products, flax, peat, and wood. We intend to develop competencies in the field of bio- and nanotechnologies.
Alexander Subbotin, together with the State Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev, Chairman of the State Committee on Science and Technology of the Republic of Belarus Sergey Shlychkov, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea – Permanent Representative of the Republic of Crimea to the President of the Russian Federation Georgy Muradov, and other distinguished guests, familiarized themselves with the achievements of young Vitebsk scientists and advanced enterprises of the region.
Representatives of the Vitebsk State Technological University presented, among other things, insulation and bitumen – unique materials made with the addition of recycled textiles. This technology allows for a manifold increase in product strength. The commercialization of these projects alone exceeded expectations by 30 times in the first year! Scientists from VSU named after P. M. Masherov have developed geoinformation systems for monitoring agricultural land. This technology allows for an increase in crop yields, which is confirmed by the company "Sushchev-Agro," where it is already being used.
The participants of the forum were interested in the innovative products of Vitebskdrev LLC. The enterprise is the only one in Belarus and Russia that produces moisture-resistant boards. Currently, fire-resistant boards are undergoing certification. The General Director of Vitebskdrev, Yuri Doylin, said that the components previously imported from Europe for production are now purchased in Russia. Sales markets have also expanded in this direction.
More70 percent of the peat processed by the Vitebskoblgaz enterprise is supplied for export. It is one of the largest subsoil users in the country. Dmitry Klimovich, engineer of the marketing sector of foreign economic relations of UP Vitebskoblgaz, noted that peat reserves will provide work for more than half a century. Undoubtedly, this product aroused the interest of the forum participants.
Vladimir Katenev, President of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that the trade turnover between Belarus and the northern capital of Russia amounts to more than 2.5 billion dollars. – Recently, our Kirov Plant signed a cooperation agreement with its Belarusian colleagues on working on the creation of high-power tractors that are almost one hundred percent independent of supplies from unfriendly countries, – noted Vladimir Ivanovich. – Vitebsk is of interest to us in terms of woodworking, light and food industries. I am sure that we have interesting projects in the field of tourism, education and science ahead of us.
His colleague from the Pskov region, Vladimir Zubov, noted that cooperation between the regions of the two countries has not ceased since the Soviet Union. Many enterprises complement each other. For example, the Pskov region produces rubber footwear, and the Vitebsk region produces winter insoles for it. And there are many such collaborations.
Abdehinejad Hamidreza Abbas, a representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, spoke about plans to establish the production of biodegradable tableware, packaging, nut pastes, dairy products, and biologically active additives in the Vitebsk region. The fact that he is ready to invest about 40 million dollars in his project testifies to the serious intentions of the foreign partner.
Within the framework of the forum, seven cooperation agreements were signed. In particular, the FEZ Vitebsk signed a memorandum of intent to create the production of electrical products with the Russian company "Center for Construction Equipment", as well as a cooperation agreement with the Skolkovo Foundation. Orie Galvanymetal LLC (Iran, Russia) became a new resident of the free economic zone.е specializes in hot-dip galvanizing.
Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Anzhelika Nikitina noted that perhaps holding the investment forum in a new format will become traditional, and Vitebsk will rightfully be considered not only the cultural but also the business capital of Belarus.
The forum allowed partners to get to know each other better, identify options for interaction, and laid the foundation for long-term partnership and cooperation.