Vitebsk, Volgograd regions sign co-operation action plan

The Head of the Vitebsk Region, Nikolai Sherstnev, and the First Deputy Governor of Russia’s Volgograd Region, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Volgograd Region – Aleksandr Dorzhdeev – have signed an action plan for co-operation between the Vitebsk and Volgograd regions

The Russian delegation visited Belarus within the framework of the co-operation agreement between the administration of the Volgograd Region and the Belarusian Government.

The guests came to attend an industrial and investment forum in Minsk. As part of their tour, they also met with heads of the industry and architecture ministries, enterprises and organisations. In addition, the Russians went to Vitebsk to visit some of its companies and higher educational establishments.

Petroleum products, Amkodor special equipment, agricultural machinery, polymers, insecticides, Belarusian Steel Works metal products and cheeses are primarily exported to the Volgograd Region which consumers appreciate Belarusian food, clothing, footwear.

In turn, enterprises of the Volgograd Region import grain, cereals, premixes, juices and baby puree, fiberglass products, electrical substations, drywall, asbestos products, valves and fittings for pipelines to Belarus.

“The purpose of our visit is to reach a qualitatively new level of co-operation, to help each other and develop the economy of our regions – while improving our citizens’ quality of life. We aim to establish close co-operation not only in the economy, but also in the cultural and spiritual spheres,” Mr. Dorzhdeev stressed.

The guests demonstrated interest in the experience of creating free economic zones and were much impressed by Belarus’ modern agricultural enterprises where young specialists work. Chambers of commerce and industry are ready to assist businesses in finding partners, while medical universities of the regions and the Vitebsk Veterinary Academy have worked out a co-operation plan. In addition, the Russian region is ready to help train engineers for the abrasive industry in Belarus and also establish a joint facility for abrasive tool production on the basis of the VISTAN plant.