Business news

MINSK, 29 May (BelTA) - Belarus would like to participate in transport and logistics projects in the Black Sea region, Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Vladimir Ulakhovich said at the business forum “Belarus – the countries of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization”, BelTA learned from the BCCI.

This is the first time the forum is held in this format. “Holding the forum in Belarus is not accidental. Our country has no exit to the Black Sea coast, but the member countries of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization are our most important trading and economic partners, with which Belarus seeks to develop cooperation, implement joint projects,” said Vladimir Ulakhovich.

Speaking of the Black Sea region, Vladimir Ulakhovich noted that participation in the projects, including highway network construction or logistics, is very promising for Belarus. “Partnership and development of trade and economic relations largely depend on smart transport policy, proper organization of deliveries of our products and those of partners. Implementing logistic projects within the framework of international organizations presents an opportunity to minimize transportation costs, increase the goods turnover between the countries,” he said. The potential of the Black Sea in this regard is huge, since the sea route is the most cost-effective and beneficial for the international transportation of goods.

One of the most significant international logistic projects at present, in which Belarus can play an important role, is a new Silk Road between East and West initiated by the Chinese leadership. In this connection, Vladimir Ulakhovich welcomed the participation of China’s representatives in the forum. “China is our strategic partner. Recently, the relations between our countries have intensified markedly. We have implemented a number of joint projects, the most significant of which is the construction of the China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone. Chinese business is successfully using opportunities and proposals of Belarus, including within the framework of the Silk Road project,” Vladimir Ulakhovich noted.

In general, Belarus maintains successful cooperation with all BSEC member states at the state level, signed a number of international agreements. But success depends largely on how actively the business communities interact. Vladimir Ulakhovich expressed confidence that the business matchmaking event within the framework of the forum with the participation of 30 representatives of eight foreign countries and 60 Belarusian businessmen would serve as the basis for new agreements and projects.

Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Asaf Hajiyev stressed that the Black Sea is an important region where the most important transport arteries intersect. “The region is rich in energy resources, is advantageous in terms of logistics. Belarus has something to offer to partners in the field of industry. In this regard, cooperation should develop, and the negotiations on the sidelines of the forum will an additional opportunity to strengthen economic and trade contacts, give rise to new initiatives,” he said.

The official part of the business forum was followed by the bilateral talks between businessmen of Belarus and the BSEC countries. The focus was on the prospects of trade and economic cooperation in the fields of tourism, agriculture and agribusiness, railway transport, logistics, and energy.

The Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization was established for the development of cooperation in the Black Sea basin. The organization includes Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Belarus received an observer status in BSEC in 2005.