The delegation of the Vitebsk region took part in the VII European Economic Forum in the Polish city of Łódź

The corresponding invitation was received by Vitebsk residents from the leadership of the Lodz Voivodeship, with which Pridvinye has had a cooperation agreement since 2000. The delegation was headed by Oleg Matskevich, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee (pictured). The delegation included representatives of the Regional Department for Supervision of Rational Use of Fuel and Energy Resources, UP "Vitebskoblgaz", KKUP "Vitebsk Regional Marketing Center". The presentation of the region's investment potential, promotion of innovative projects and products, attraction of foreign investors to the Vitebsk region, establishment of business contacts with foreign partners, exchange of experience and promotion of ideas in the field of energy saving, construction, medicine, support for small and medium-sized businesses are issues that interested our delegation. Representatives from Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Bulgaria, and a number of African countries took part in the forum.

The main topic was the development of the energy sector, including renewable energy sources. In addition, issues related to the innovative textile industry and fashion industry, improvement of business process outsourcing, medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetology, innovative agriculture and food industry were considered. During the forum, thematic sections, discussion platforms, and plenary sessions were held.

As part of one of them, Oleg Matskevich delivered a report on the development of trade turnover between the European Union and the Republic of Belarus and possible forms of support for entrepreneurs from near and far abroad. In addition, the head of our delegation held negotiations with the Marshal of the Łódź Voivodeship, Witold Stępień, on issues of further cooperation and integration of the Vitebsk and Łódź regions within the framework of a single economic space of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Vitebsk Region – Poland

As reported by the Department of Investment Policy and Foreign Economic Relations of the Committee of Economy of the Regional Executive Committee, the annual trade turnover of the Vitebsk region with Poland is about 140 million dollars, and there is great potential for increasing this figure. Based on the results of 8 months of 2014, the trade turnover amounted to 101.3 million dollars and increased by 40% compared to the same period last year. Products worth 66 million dollars were exported. The basis of exports is liquefied gas, and chemical industry products are also supplied: ethylene polymers, coke and petroleum bitumen, fiberglass. Casein, fuel wood, fiberboard, linen fabrics, machine tools, and optics are actively supplied to the neighboring country.

Over the past few years, fruits, propylene polymers, medicines, food products, primary processed leather, knitted fabrics, shoe parts, trailers, tractors, machinery, and industrial equipment have been imported from Poland.

It is worth noting that investment projects with the participation of Polish capital are being implemented in the region, including in the free economic zone "Vitebsk", mainly in garment manufacturing and meat processing.

Bilateral cooperation has been established between the cities of our region and Polish regions, in particular, agreements have been signed between Vitebsk and Zielona Góra, Novopolotsk and Płock, Polotsk and Łomża, Glubokoye and Słupca, etc. Vitebsk region also maintains business contacts with the Podlaskie, Pomeranian, and West Pomeranian Voivodeships of Poland.

Olga Maslovskaya, "Vitebskiye vesti"