Moldova and the Vitebsk region are ready to increase mutual trade turnover

Moldova and the Vitebsk region are ready to increase mutual trade and develop various formats of cooperation between producers of goods and services. The functions of organizing the movement of partners towards each other were promised to be undertaken by **Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Moldova to Belarus, Victor Sorochin**, at a working meeting in the regional executive committee held on June 29.

The diplomat recently took up his duties in Minsk and is making introductory trips to the regions. In the Vitebsk region, at the ambassador's request, a meeting was organized with representatives of enterprises and organizations interested in the Moldovan market.

– We have high hopes for Belarus and are ready to do our utmost to stay as close as possible and strengthen cooperation. For 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, there have been no problems with your country, which has proven itself as a reliable and responsible partner, – emphasized **Victor Sorochin**.

The diplomat considers increasing mutual trade, as well as searching for and developing new forms of interaction between producers, expanding cooperative ties, and creating joint ventures as his main task. Together with Vitebsk partners, Moldovan business is interested in entering the CIS market and further advancing into China. At the same time, Belarusian companies will have the opportunity to enter the European Union market, as Moldova benefits from a system of trade preferences from the EU.

Business unions and the FEZ "Vitebsk" also intend to develop cooperation. As noted by the head of the FEZ administration, Sergey Yurkevich, eight residents supply products to the Moldovan market. To assist in promoting the interests of FEZ residents and establishing mutually beneficial partnerships, the administration is ready to sign an agreement with a relevant Moldovan organization. The promising contacts identified at the meeting can be expanded at joint business events, which the Moldovan diplomatic mission plans to initiate.

BY THE WAY: The average annual volume of exports of products from Vitebsk region manufacturers to Moldova over the last 4 years is about 10 million dollars, while imports to our region amount to 2.8 million. Based on the results of the first 4 months of 2017, the trade turnover growth rate exceeded 127%.

Mainly, petrochemical products are supplied from the Vitebsk region to Moldova, accounting for 70% of exports, as well as carpets, food packaging, linen products, etc. Medicines and fruits were imported.

Sergey Antonov. Photos by Dmitry OSIPOV. "Vitebskiye vesti".