Vitebsk and Moscow regions intend to increase mutual trade turnover to $1 billion in the next two years.

February 20, Moscow / Eduard Pivovar - BELTA/. Vitebsk and Moscow regions intend to increase mutual trade turnover to $1 billion within the next two years. This benchmark was set by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, and the Governor of the Moscow Region, Boris Gromov, during negotiations held today in the Moscow Region, BELTA correspondent reports.

As Alexander Kosinets explained to journalists following the meeting, to fulfill the set tasks, the parties agreed to create a special working group. In addition, in the near future, the two regions intend to conclude a cooperation agreement, which will be aimed at increasing bilateral trade turnover. The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee recalled that a cooperation agreement was signed between the Vitebsk and Moscow regions in 1996, but it was of a framework nature and was not filled with specific content.

Alexander Kosinets said that during the conversation, the heads of the regions discussed all possible areas of cooperation, but primarily focused on the economy, investment cooperation, and the development of the commodity distribution network. The heads of the regions specifically discussed the development of sister city relations. Currently, only four cities and districts of Vitebsk region have established such ties with cities and districts of the Moscow region. Alexander Kosinets announced that in the near future it is planned to conclude about 25-30 agreements on establishing sister city relations between the cities and districts of the Vitebsk and Moscow regions.

Based on the results of 2011, the trade turnover between Vitebsk and Moscow regions increased by 13.1% compared to 2010 and amounted to $371.2 million. Exports of goods to the Moscow region amounted to $296.9 million, and imports - $74.3 million. -0-