Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India Sangeeta Bahadur visited Vitebsk on a two-day visit
It should be noted that this is not the first time the ambassador has visited our region, so she is familiar with many enterprises in the region, in particular, the Orsha Flax Mill and the footwear industry. The day before, Ms. Sangeeta Bahadur visited SOOO "Marko" and SOOO "Belvest".
During the meeting, the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Boris Efremov, elaborated on the areas that would be of interest for cooperation between our region and India, and announced the figures. The trade turnover with this country last year amounted to 16.4 million dollars, 6.9 million – exports, 10.5 million dollars – imports. Due to the pandemic, in 2020, this figure "sagged" by 17% compared to the previous year.
Export items include petrochemical products and fiberglass. As Boris Efremov noted, the potential of the Vitebsk region is significantly greater. No other region in the republic produces turnkey water treatment and wastewater disposal equipment. More than 80% of the region's residents are provided with centralized water supply. Water treatment equipment is in high demand among Russian consumers. Our enterprises could also supply it to India, where the issue of drinking water quality is acute.
Another promising area of cooperation was announced by Boris Efremov – the woodworking industry. Recently, enterprises in the Dvina region have been engaged in deep wood processing; natural products, including pellets and furniture, could also be supplied to the Indian market.
The Vitebsk region is also famous for its flax production, which is called "northern silk." When this topic came up, the ambassador was surprised, saying, "Can flax really grow where a blizzard rages outside the window?" And this in March! "The more snow, the more effective farming," countered Boris Sergeevich.
Today, companies like Vityaz and Izmeritel produce radioelectronic products that are in demand in the military-industrial complex, telecommunications, and radio engineering, which can strengthen ties in the IT sector. Here, we should not compete, but cooperate, he emphasized.
There are also stumbling blocks in personnel training. Indian students mainly study at only two universities – VGMU and PSU, but there are also universities that train specialists in veterinary medicine and engineering, which may also be of interest to Indian partners.
Indian medicines, nuts, and fruits are in high demand here. To increase trade turnover and organize joint ventures, it is necessary to establish ties with the regions of India, emphasized Boris Efremov.
The head of the administration of FEZ "Vitebsk", Mikhail Skurat, stressed that over three years of cooperation with Indian partners, the trade turnover has doubled. While exports lag behind imports, the development potential is significant. For example, in February of this year, a pre-investment agreement was concluded with an Indian company for the production of matchbox packaging. This is the first swallow in terms of the inflow of Indian investments. Enterprises within FEZ, which number 168, intend to cooperate in the pharmaceutical industry and other fields. In Mikhail Skurat's opinion, India is one of the most effectively developing economies in the world.
The Ambassador thanked for the great interest in cooperation with India in all areas. She emphasized that Vitebsk is the most beautiful city after Minsk, which she has visited more than once. If earlier the emphasis was on cultural cooperation, now the focus has shifted to commercial potential, and new opportunities are opening up here for both sides. Sangeeta Bahadur was interested in the possibilities of the woodworking industry, the use of water treatment equipment, the training of engineering specialists, and achievements in the IT sector. Moreover, as she emphasized, Indian consumers are interested in the supply of dairy products, in particular, chocolate, cheese, and baby food. It is necessary to establish ties with specific states here, two of which have already been identified for cooperation with the Vitebsk region.
Cultural ties will also continue. In particular, Indian guests will come to the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", and days of Indian culture and a week of Indian cinema will be held.