MINSK, 4 August (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia’s Republic of Adygea are interested in strengthening trade and economic cooperation, the press service of the Belarusian food industry Belgospishcheprom concern told BelTA.
Head of the Republic of Adygea Murat Kumpilov hosted a Belarusian delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Belgospishcheprom concern Aleksandr Yakovchits and also head of the Office of the Belarusian Embassy in Rostov-on-Don Denis Timokhin. The Belarusian delegation includes representatives of the Industry Ministry, the Agriculture and Food Ministry, the National Agency for Investment and Privatization, and a number of companies. The parties discussed the prospects for cooperation, the development of partnership between Adygea and Belarus.
"The ever growing dialogue between Russia and Belarus opens up more opportunities for cooperation at the regional level. Our region has long-standing friendly and business relations with Belarus. We need to expand them within the framework of the cooperation agreement concluded between Adygea and Belarus last year. I am convinced that the visit of the Belarusian delegation to our republic will give a practical format to the agreements, fill the interaction with new content. This is especially important today, in the new economic conditions, when we are actively tapping into vacant niches. We should harness these opportunities," Murat Kumpilov said.
Aleksandr Yakovchits conveyed greetings from the country's leadership, thanked for the warm welcome and expressed hope for further cooperation, pointing to the positive dynamics in the trade between Belarus and Adygea. Last year, the trade went up by 30% year-on-year. Both exports and imports increased.
Belarus’ major export to Adygea are dairy and meat products, furniture and machine-building products. In turn, Adygea exports food products, a number of industrial goods to Belarus, including gearboxes and hydraulic manipulators. The export of mineral water has increased significantly.
"We have laid the groundwork. We have made serious progress within the framework of the cooperation agreement. The Belarusian government instructed me to be a liaison both during our first visit to Adygea, and in the future, to make sure our cooperation prompt and unhindered. We have no doubt that today's rich program will bring results. We will study and work out possible aspects of cooperation, specify mutually beneficial projects, and organize a return visit of a delegation of Adygea. We have something to offer each other in various fields of activity," said Alexander Yakovchits.
During the meeting, the head of Adygea spoke about the investment potential of the republic, ways to step up trade, economic, educational and cultural ties. Cooperation with industrial enterprises holds great promise, he said. The parties also noted the need to further strengthen humanitarian contacts, develop cultural, educational, tourist and sports exchanges.
Belarus and the Republic of Adygea of Russia concluded a government-to-government agreement on cooperation in trade, economy, science, technologyl and culture in 2021.