Business news

GOMEL, 22 May (BelTA) – The operation of the Belarusian-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation may be resumed soon, BelTA learned from Ambassador of Belarus to Ukraine Valentin Velichko during the Gomel Economic Forum on 22 May.

According to the Ambassador, the difficulties caused by the situation in Ukraine’s southeast have somewhat reduced the level of Belarus-Ukraine cooperation. “Last year the volume of mutual trade was close to $6 billion. It is now lower, unfortunately. Nevertheless, Ukraine remains Belarus’ second most important trading partner after the Russian Federation,” noted the diplomat.

Gomel Oblast, which borders on Ukraine, occupies a special place in Belarus-Ukraine trade. Ukraine highly appreciates the quality of Belarusian products like harvesters, glass, metal products, and food. “The close mentalities of the people, who live in the bordering regions, help resolve all the business issues in a prompt manner and promote better understanding of each other. This is why the share of Gomel Oblast enterprises in Belarus’ export is the largest one,” said the Ambassador.

The special business relations between Ukrainian regions and Gomel Oblast are confirmed by the fact that delegations from Ukrainian Chernigov, Zhitomir, Kiev Oblast, Rovno Oblast, Ivano-Frankovsk Oblast, and Cherkassy Oblast came to participate in the Gomel Economic Forum. “Ukrainian businessmen take an active part in the implementation of investment projects in the oblast. Besides, the process tends to expand. It means that cooperation between the countries in economy will surely be revived,” stressed the diplomat.

Taking part in the Gomel Economic Forum in Gomel on 22 May were over 500 people representing 21 countries, including China, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, and other ones. The participants suggested over 100 investment projects for implementation. If they so desire, they may combine their efforts with the local business circles or the municipal government or they may implement projects on their own in 14 economic areas, including tourism, power engineering, woodworking, and agriculture.