Business news

MINSK, 23 February (BelTA) - Belarus and Altai Krai of Russia plan to reach the trade of not less than $100 million in the next two years, Belarus’ Industry Minister Vitaly Vovk said during a working meeting with Altai Krai Governor Alexander Karlin, BelTA learned from the website of Bellegprom.

In 2017 the trade between Belarus and Altai Krai amounted to $53 million. The record high was in 2011 (about $83 million).

The Belarusian delegation included representatives of the government and a number of enterprises. They visited the industrial enterprises of the city of Biysk and got familiar with the development of the tourism and health resort sector in Belokurikha. In addition, the parties held the sixth meeting of the bilateral commission on coordination of cooperation between Belarus and Altai Krai of Russia and approved a new plan of joint action.

So far, the cooperation has been developing mainly between industrial enterprises. Following the last meeting a decision was taken to change the perspective and to expand cooperation into other economic sectors. The parties agreed to focus more on the development of bilateral ties between healthcare institutions, pharmaceutical companies, travel agencies and health treatment and resort organizations. The parties also seek to set up more joint ventures with a high level of localization. The parties stressed that the main aim of the cooperation is to create jobs and to manufacture competitive products, the sales of which should benefit both sides.

The Belarusian delegation also visited Biysk Linen Mill to discuss a number of new areas of interaction between this company and Orsha Linen Mill.