The business partnership between Germany and the Vitebsk region should not be limited to the creation of joint ventures
Vitebsk was visited on a business trip by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Belarus, Wolfram Maas.
The head of the diplomatic mission defined the purpose of his trip to the northern region of Belarus as familiarization with the economic, educational, and cultural potential of the region, and identification of promising areas for cooperation.
– Our countries have much in common; Belarus, like Germany, is not rich in mineral resources. We can only count on the successful work of people. Judging by what I have seen, I can say with confidence: the human potential of Belarusians is very high, – stated Wolfram Maas.
During his meeting with the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, the most important aspects of cooperation between the Vitebsk region and Germany were discussed. Germany is one of our main partners in various fields of activity. The foreign economic turnover of the region with the FRG last year reached 192.6 million dollars. The basis of exports to Germany includes chemical compounds and peat, as well as fiberglass, timber, and optical instruments. Unfortunately, and the head of the region drew attention to this, representatives of foreign, including German companies, are focused on exporting raw materials, not finished products, and refuse offers for deep processing. The problem of exporting products from the meat and dairy and food industries was also identified, which, due to high customs and other payments, becomes uncompetitive.
Over 300 types of goods are imported from Germany, primarily polymers, chemical raw materials, acids, reagents, medicines, and equipment for enterprises.
Approximately 40 business entities with German capital are registered in the region, including 9 joint and foreign enterprises with a total charter capital of $1.8 million. An example of successful cooperation is the German company "Evimex" and our "Marco", enterprises "Vitella", "Gratsiya", the German company "Stotz Agro-Service", which has been operating in the Orsha district for over 7 years, engaged in growing grain, vegetables, and milk production. "A positive example of enterprises with foreign capital is the best advertisement for potential investors", – the ambassador is convinced.
For 10 years, Germany was the main partner in establishing joint ventures, but today the German side practically does not invest direct capital. The situation needs to be changed – this conclusion was reached by Alexander Kosinets and Wolfram Maas. The impetus, according to the head of the region, would be the consolidation of partnership ties between cities. Each district center of Vitebsk region could find a twin city in Germany; such ties would benefit our business relations.
The Ambassador promised assistance in establishing contacts with German business circles, stating that his country is interested in the well-being of its eastern neighbor. Wolfram Maas also shared his impressions of visiting Vitebsk Secondary School No. 45, which is among the 10 educational institutions in Belarus participating in the program "Schools: Partners for the Future". The Ambassador presented 1st-degree diplomas to ten students who successfully passed their German language exams. He also visited the Marc Chagall Museum.
Tatyana Pasternak, "Vitebskiye Vesti"