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MINSK, 10 October (BelTA) – The Central European Initiative ministerial conference on science and technologies Biotechnology for Healthy and Active Life in the CEI Region will take place in Minsk on 26 October. The conference will be dedicated to biotechnologies in pharmaceutics and agribusiness, BelTA learned from Chairman of the State Science and Technology Committee of Belarus Alexander Shumilin on 10 October.

Alexander Shumilin stressed that Belarus pursues a multiple-vector policy and presides in the Central European Initiative this year. “The first two ministerial conferences took place in Italy. Biotechnologies in pharmaceutics and agriculture have been selected this year. They are rapidly developing in Belarus. In particular, 30 leading companies specialize in pharmaceutics. They turned out $500 million worth of pharmaceutical products in 2016. We have our own formulas for such global challenges as cancer treatment, hepatitis treatment, and other ones,” said the official.

On 10 October the chairman of the State Science and Technology Committee held a briefing for heads of the diplomatic missions of the CEI participating states in anticipation of the ministerial conference. “We try to deliver the message about goals, tasks of this event, about Belarus’ expectations via the embassies. Europe is also looking for new points of growth. We would like to deliver the message in what direction we can build cooperation. This conference offers an opportunity for expanding interaction between Belarusian science and that of the European Union,” he explained.

The conference is expected to gather ministers of the CEI member states, government officials, who are responsible for the development of science, technologies, and innovations, those, who oversee matters of healthcare, agriculture, and food industry. Representatives of the European Commission will be present as well as representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), other international organizations and donors, investors. Research institutions, non-governmental organizations specializing in biopharmaceutics and biotechnologies for agriculture are invited to participate in the conference.