The development of air transportation can increase the business and tourism potential of the Vitebsk region - expert

March 20, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA/. Cooperation between Russian airlines and Vitebsk Airport can contribute to the development of business and tourist activity in the Vitebsk region. This opinion was expressed in a conversation with a BELTA correspondent by Alexei Fedorovich, General Director of the Russian company Traverss-Avia Service LLC. As part of a delegation of Russian businessmen involved in the provision and servicing of air transportation, he took part in the international investment forum that concluded today in Vitebsk. Russian companies specializing in air transportation services are showing interest in cooperating with Vitebsk Airport. Among the promising areas of such partnership, Alexei Fedorovich highlighted the development of regional passenger transportation and the servicing of business aviation flights. The advantageous geographical location of Vitebsk Airport, coupled with the development prospects of the region as a whole, creates an attractive basis for establishing contacts in the field of air transportation, he believes. Today, the most active air passengers in the world are tourists and businessmen, but to attract them, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions and infrastructure, starting with the airport, noted Alexei Fedorovich. The implementation of proposals made during the negotiations will increase the competitiveness of Vitebsk Airport in providing direct and transit air transportation, and will also contribute to shaping Vitebsk's image as a modern center of business and tourist activity. Possible options and conditions for interaction were discussed during negotiations with the leadership of the regional executive committee and the Vitebsk branch of RUE "BelaviaNavigation". In addition, members of the Russian delegation shared their experience in organizing and providing business aviation services. Russian businessmen also visited the Vitebsk branch of RUE "BelaviaNavigation", where they learned about the airport's potential for servicing flights and promising projects for the development of the airport terminal complex and adjacent infrastructure. The international investment forum "Investment Initiatives of the Vitebsk Region" was attended by over 400 representatives of diplomatic missions and businessmen from almost 20 countries, including Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Slovakia, China, Iran, and India. During business meetings and negotiations, more than 40 contracts and agreements on trade and economic cooperation and the implementation of specific projects between cities, districts of the Vitebsk region, and foreign partners were signed. Enterprises and organizations of the Dvina region presented more than 150 investment projects for the consideration of potential investors, focusing on the creation of modern construction material production facilities from local raw materials and secondary resources, woodworking, development of tourist infrastructure, roadside service facilities, and several other areas of activity. Participants were also provided with information on the legislative framework of Belarus, which promotes and supports business development in small towns and the FEZ "Vitebsk". In addition, guests of the economic forum had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with existing joint and foreign enterprises in Vitebsk and visit sites designated for the implementation of investment projects in the tourism and trade sectors. -0-