Business news

MINSK, 21 June (BelTA) – Plans have been made to sign contracts worth $400 million during the Fourth Belarus-Russia Forum of Regions that will be held in Moscow on 29 and 30 June, Marianna Shchetkina, Deputy Chairperson of Belarus’ Council of the Republic chairing the organizing committee of the forum, said during the expanded format meeting of the committee on 21 June. The meeting in Minsk was headed by Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich, BelTA has learned.

The forum will bring together representatives of different regions of Belarus and Russia and flagship manufacturing companies. The participants will consider cooperation prospects and new projects. Plans have been made to conclude 54 cooperation agreements. The Belarusian councils of deputies of different levels will sign agreements with the Russian representative agencies (regional dumas, legislative assemblies).

The plenary session of the upcoming forum will focus on the partnership between the regions of Belarus and Russia in high technology, innovations, and information society. The Inter-Parliamentary Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation will hold a meeting on interregional cooperation. The business program of the forum includes breakout sessions with the participation of businessmen and competent ministries and agencies. The participants will discuss ways to advance the development of hi-tech competitive enterprises in Belarus and Russia, step up the cooperation in science and technology, and strengthen the role of information technology in the development of civil society institutions in the Belarus-Russia Union State. They will also consider problems and prospects associated with the harmonization of the laws in the integration context, and prospects for the cooperation between IT companies. Attention will be paid to the relations between the cities and towns of Belarus and Russia, and ways to intensify the business ties between the two countries.

The forum will feature an exhibition that will showcase joint Belarusian-Russian innovative products and technologies and youth projects. Besides, the program includes presentations of the trade, economic, and investment potential of the regions of Belarus and Russia. A fair will be held as part of the forum to demonstrate the products of some 60 Belarusian companies.

The meeting of the organizing committee considered in detail the program of the forum and the format of the upcoming talks with the Russian colleagues.

Mikhail Myasnikovich emphasized the need to promptly settle all the remaining issues related to the preparations for the forum. “I want us to pay attention to all issues placing the focus on the key aspects and on what remains to be done,” he pointed out.

The Belarus-Russia Forum of Regions is aimed at strengthening the direct ties between the two countries, including the legislative and executive authorities, and the business communities. It is also designed to develop recommendations to improve the legislative framework in order to boost the economic growth of Belarus and Russia. The event is held under the aegis of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia.