Representatives of 40 foreign companies arrived at the autumn business forum in Vitebsk

October 15, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Representatives of 40 companies from Russia, Poland, Latvia, as well as diplomatic missions have arrived at the autumn investment forum in Vitebsk, and 140 projects prepared by the region's enterprises have been offered for their consideration. This was announced by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, opening the business meeting today. Favorable conditions for the development of small business and the operation of private capital have been created in Belarus, the governor noted. "It is time to move from mutual understanding to mutually beneficial cooperation," he stressed. Over the nine months of the current year, $1.2 billion of investments have been attracted to the region's economy, and 16.8 thousand jobs have been created. Since the beginning of the year alone, almost 1.3 thousand legal entities and 3.2 thousand individual entrepreneurs have been registered. 44 new enterprises have started operating in the region, including 28 with foreign capital. According to the results of January-September, the growth rate of industrial production at comparable prices was 110.2%, and excluding the share of OJSC Naftan - 108.%. In the public sector, the gross volume of agricultural production reached 109.3%. Products worth $780 million have been exported. According to Alexander Kosinets, the region managed to achieve these indicators in the difficult conditions of the global economic crisis thanks to four components: personnel, the agro-industrial sector, industrial and construction enterprises, and the development of paid services. 140 projects have been offered for investors' consideration. A significant part of them is related to the creation of production facilities for processing local raw materials - wood, dolomite, clay, peat. The regions of the oblast have developed business proposals for the development of roadside services and tourist infrastructure. Projects for the creation of transport and logistics centers are also presented at the forum. Processing enterprises of the region have organized an exhibition of their products. For the first time, guests of the business meeting will have the opportunity to learn all about Belarusian silk. The exhibition-fair-show "Vitebsk Flax", which will be held within the framework of the investment forum, will feature collections of products made from linen fabrics, and modern technologies for the production and processing of flax, and sewing of products will be demonstrated. In addition to the exhibition and presentation of investment proposals, businessmen will be able to get acquainted with the region's enterprises and see the sites intended for the implementation of business proposals. The investment forum will conclude its work on October 16. The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, recalled that this is the third business forum this year. The previous two allowed for the conclusion of 54 agreements totaling $480 million.