Enterprises of the Vitebsk region are actively cooperating with BRICS countries
– Veronika Viktorovna, why are BRICS countries of interest to us?
– These are new opportunities for promoting our products in rapidly developing large countries such as Russia, Brazil, India, China, and the Republic of South Africa, which have united into an economic alliance. This is a good alternative to the lost markets of the European Union, the USA, and Canada, and we must fully utilize these opportunities.
– Naturally, trade with Russia is a priority, but how interesting is the Chinese market for our producers?
– Among the BRICS countries, the Chinese market is the most promising. This is evidenced by the growth in exports to the PRC regions. Compared to the first five months of last year, supplies increased 1.7 times. Food and agricultural raw materials from our region are in particular demand. This includes poultry, whey, dry breakfasts, confectionery, and flax fiber. Among other things, additives for lubricating oils, woodworking products, fiberglass, fittings, and linen fabrics produced in the northern region are in demand in China.
– If cooperation with Russia and China is long-standing and gaining momentum, how are relations being built, say, with Brazil?
– The sanctions imposed by the European Union and the refusal to cooperate with us on mutually beneficial terms open up an window of opportunity for establishing ties with friendly countries. Agreements have been reached with the Embassy of Brazil to organize a visit to the Vitebsk region to study the available technological solutions and the level of competencies that can be offered to Brazilian companies. The embassy delegation familiarized themselves with the products manufactured by "Polimerkonstruktsiya" LLC, and also showed interest in the telescopic lifts produced by the "Vitstroytekmash" enterprise. During the visit, a trip to the Orsha Linen Mill was organized, where the parties discussed the potential for expanding supplies of linen fabrics to the Brazilian market, particularly men's shirts.
– How can our enterprises interest Indian consumers? And what goods from this Asian country are of interest to us?
– The annual trade turnover with India does not exceed 20 million dollars. This is clearly insufficient for the potential of our regions. The main export products are acrylic fiber from the "Polimir" plant and glass fabrics. Promising supplies include water treatment equipment, solid pine and spruce doors, parquet flooring, linen fabrics, metal-cutting machine tools, monitors and special equipment from the "Display" design bureau, and confectionery products from "Vitba". In turn, Indian companies produce a wide range of radio electronics products. In this regard, it is possible to consider cooperation issues with the enterprises "Vityaz", "Monolit", and "Izmeritel". The main imported products from India are medicines and chemical acids, as well as threads, yarn, fruits, and nuts. We have the opportunity to increase mutual trade turnover by creating joint ventures and production cooperation. FEZ "Vitebsk" has an agreement with the FEZ representative in India, through which it plans to attract Indian investments on a direct basis for the production of packaging materials and the establishment of an Indian financial company for lending to projects of FEZ residents.
– Given that there is a queue of 20 countries wishing to join BRICS, the potential for mutually beneficial relations is increasing manifold.
– Enterprises in the region have intensified contacts with BRICS candidate countries such as Iran and Egypt.
A dialogue is underway with Iranian companies on projects in the field of biodegradable packaging production and the launch of hot-dip galvanizing production. With Egypt, the possibility of establishing sister-city relations with the Buhayra Governorate is being discussed. By the way, this year, compared to the first five months of 2022, the trade turnover of enterprises of the Vitebsk region with Iran has increased more than 10 times, including exports – 6 times. We export timber, fiberglass and products made from it, tow and acrylic fibers. Imports include fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as equipment for enterprises.
BRICS unites five countries – Brazil, China, Russia, India, and the South African Republic. Iran and Algeria have applied. Among the contenders are Egypt, the UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Indonesia, and more than 20 countries in total.