Industrialists from Vitebsk, Smolensk, and Kaluga regions discussed issues of further cooperation
Exchanging new achievements and ideas, developing joint plans for production development, promoting innovative products in domestic and foreign markets, and establishing useful contacts – these were the goals pursued by the participants of the joint meeting of the council of the Vitebsk Regional Union of Employers (VOSN), the presidium of the Smolensk Regional Association of Employers "Scientific and Industrial Union" and the council of the regional association "Kaluga Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs". As Vladimir Turavinov, Chairman of VOSN, said, the regional union of employers has been in existence for 15 years and unites dozens of different enterprises. For many years, the organization has been cooperating with similar associations in neighboring countries, in particular, close ties have been established with Smolensk and Kaluga. Colleagues constantly meet and exchange experiences. Orsha (instrument-making plant) was not chosen by chance as the venue for the next joint meeting – it is one of the most developed industrial centers of the Vitebsk region. The first deputy chairman of the Orsha District Executive Committee, Sergey Pats, acquainted the participants of the meeting with the main aspects of the socio-economic development of the district. In his speech, he emphasized that the introduction of new technologies is necessary for the successful operation of any enterprise. "Innovative development is a priority for our republic, and in particular, for our region, – noted Sergey Nikolaevich. – The share of innovative products manufactured by enterprises of the Orsha region in the total volume is one third. This is a good result, but we cannot stop there. That is why today we are considering issues on the development of new types of products, and the exchange of experience between the Vitebsk region and the regions of the Russian Federation. This will allow enterprise managers to see who has achieved what results in their field, and to draw inspiration from
fresh ideas, to collectively discuss pressing issues».
The theoretical and practical parts of the meeting were organically intertwined – speakers not only shared their work and ideas but also demonstrated how they work in practice, accompanied by multimedia presentations.
New contacts, the opportunity to access new sales markets – this is what primarily interested the heads of Orsha and Vitebsk enterprises. For example, following such meetings, the Orsha Tool Plant was able to significantly increase the supply of its products to neighboring countries. Currently, 105 Russian enterprises purchase Orsha metal-cutting tools. According to Director Valery Lutai, there is a clear trend towards further expansion of cooperation with business entities of the Russian Federation.
Information on the implementation of scientific and technical developments in industrial production was shared by the Director of the Institute of Technical Acoustics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Doctor of Technical Sciences Vasily Rubannik.
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As the analysis of modern development shows, up to 90% of consumer goods production consists of science-intensive ideas and technologies, – emphasized Vasily Vasilyevich. – For production to flourish and innovations to be successfully implemented, there must be at least two components – ideas and technologies plus innovation-receptive enterprises. Today, firms that have structural scientific units within them work in a new way and flourish».Vladimir Rubannik introduced a new development from the institute – an ultrasonic automatic welding of polymer pipes, which is already successfully marketed both domestically and internationally. He also touched upon the development program for the flax industry using innovative technologies.
Chairman of the Board of SR LLC
«Union of Machine Builders of Russia» Svyatoslav Masyutin spoke about the investment climate in his country and also proposed that the instrument factories of Smolensk and Orsha regions join forces.The general director of OJSC
«Polotsk-Steklovolokno» Nikolay Kochalnovsky told about the activities of two scientific laboratories of OJSC.No one will argue with the statement that success consists of 20% experience and 80% of a correctly chosen strategy of action. What can be calculated for the future? How to optimize costs? What to invent to get ahead of competitors? The discussion on this topic was initiated by the Deputy Managing Director of the Smolensk branch of OJSC
«Sberbank of Russia» Svetlana Tarasova. She touched upon some aspects of the development of cross-border business. «Out of 900 enterprises located in the Smolensk region, more than 500 were established by founders from Belarus,» noted Svetlana Alexandrovna. – «In 2013, we carried out the first cross-border transactions with Belarusian enterprises. This became possible thanks to cooperation with BPS-Bank».Summing up the results of the meeting, it was decided to approve the proposed joint measures of the three unions for 2014-2015, aimed at the active implementation of scientific and technical developments in industrial production, mastering the production of innovative products, and providing comprehensive support for concluding direct agreements between scientific institutions and enterprises.
The fruitful and eventful meeting of the participants concluded with an excursion to the Orsha Instrument Plant and a tour of the sights of the hospitable city.
Olga Lebedeva, "Vitebskiye Vesti"