Vitebsk region and China will cooperate in woodworking, energy, and waste processing

The sister-city ties between the Vitebsk region and the Chinese province of Heilongjiang are experiencing a renaissance, which must be utilized as effectively as possible for the development of economic interaction. The creation of joint ventures and products, a new quality of investment cooperation, and the connection of the northern region of Belarus to the implementation of global Chinese projects are now, it seems, the directions in which the business agenda for the development of cooperation between the European and Asian regions will be formed.

The state visit of PRC Chairman Xi Jinping, which concluded on May 12, elevated Belarusian-Chinese relations, based on a comprehensive strategic partnership, to a new level. Now, it is necessary to fill bilateral cooperation with concrete content, and the friendly contacts between regional and enterprise leaders should become a powerful stimulus for this. On May 11, a delegation from the Vitebsk region, led by the chairman of the regional executive committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, participated in the Belarusian-Chinese Interregional Business Forum, after which they continued to communicate with Chinese partners at a business matchmaking event for trade and economic cooperation projects between sister regions. Experts were unanimous in their assessments: such platforms allow for the rapid elimination of information deficits among China's business community regarding the industrial potential, structure, and investment needs of the Vitebsk region. Of course, it should not be forgotten that the Chinese are not simple and demanding partners, but they are also the most attractive investors, as they are ready for large investments. Ahead of us lies a challenging period of mutual adjustment and fine-tuning the interaction mechanism, but the support at the highest state level can serve as a guarantee of success.

MINSK MEETINGS

The tone for business communication between the delegations was set at the meeting between the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, and the head of the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province, Lu Hao. Paying tribute to the long-standing friendship between the peoples of the two countries, the head of the Vitebsk region proposed strengthening it through mutually beneficial economic cooperation. There are many areas that have not received such close attention over the years. According to Nikolai Sherstnev, business circles of the two regions can focus on developing cooperation in flax processing and the production of fabrics and finished products from this crop, alternative energy, agriculture, the footwear industry, veterinary medicine and pharmaceuticals, as well as on establishing enterprises within the FEZ "Vitebsk".

The possibility of using the transit potential of the Vitebsk region in the implementation of the Chinese trans-Eurasian project was highlighted separately.

"The Silk Road Economic Belt". This involves the creation of a transport, energy, and trade corridor between the countries of Central and Eastern Asia and Europe. China has already invested about 40 billion dollars in the project. Undoubtedly, the geographical location, the presence of major railway and air transport hubs in Vitebsk and Orsha can become a significant basis for involving the region in a large-scale project on mutually beneficial terms.

Among the advantages of cooperation with Chinese partners, Nikolai Sherstnev noted the interest in close partnership from the leaders of the two countries, established interregional cooperation, the availability of modern technologies in various industries in China, as well as broad opportunities for attracting investment. At the same time, according to the head of the region, the current level of interaction also has a number of shortcomings that will need to be addressed in the future.

According to Mr. Lu Hao, it was with these goals that representatives of over 30 diversified companies, ready to enhance bilateral cooperation, arrived in Minsk as part of the provincial delegation.

The plenary session within the business contacts exchange was dedicated to presentations of the economic potential of twin regions, as well as enterprises and projects. The potential of the FEZ

"Vitebsk", the project for the creation of the industrial-industrial-logistics "Orsha Park" in the area of the Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant was presented to the Chinese partners. Chinese partners were invited to participate in the construction of the Beshenkovichi HPP and the creation of the High-Tech Park in the regional center.

A number of documents were signed on the same day. First of all, the issue of interregional cooperation was developed. Polotsk district and the city district of Mudanjiang in Heilongjiang province established twin relations. In addition, a Chinese company

«CITIC Construction Co.Ltd.» and RUPTP «Orshansky Lnokombinat» signed a contract for the financing of the second stage of modernization of the Belarusian enterprise in the amount of 67 million dollars. Another document was an agreement on joint activities for projects in such areas as waste recycling, woodworking, and energy between the Vitebsk region, the Chinese company for economic development abroad, and the National Agency for Investment and Privatization. According to the assessment of the Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Economy of the Regional Executive Committee, Konstantin Cherny, for the first time, agreements were reached on the participation of Chinese partners in these types of economic activities, and it is about studying the possibility of direct investment and the creation of enterprises.

VITEBSK DIALOGUE

Business communication between Vitebsk and Chinese businessmen continued on May 12 in Vitebsk. The guests got acquainted with the investment projects of the regional center and FEZ "Vitebsk", and visited the sites of FEZ resident enterprises.

The natural path of development of the region's economy is a focus on the growth of industrial production based on innovation. This is what the organizers tried to convey to the guests when forming the business exposition, which was deployed at the Regional Executive Committee. It was based on innovation-active enterprises, manufacturers of high-tech products, as well as companies successfully competing in the market with mass-market products: from food products to light industry goods. The high-tech potential of the region was convincingly presented by UP

"Polymerkonstruktsiya", scientific and production enterprise "SIVital", JSC "Design Bureau "Display", JSC "Vitebskiye Kovry", "Vityaz", SOOO "Belwest", holding "Marko" and many other exhibition participants. The project for the creation of the High-Tech Park was of particular interest to the Chinese guests.

At the end of the visit, the Chinese guests took a sightseeing tour of the city, familiarized themselves with the cultural and historical sites of the regional center.

Sergey Antonov, "Vitebskiye Vesti"