Business news

BREST, 13 March (BelTA) – A green economy innovation and industry cluster Polesie has been established in Pinsk, Brest Oblast, BelTA learned from Konstantin Shebeko, Rector of Polessky State University.

A meeting of founders of the innovation and industry cluster, which will focus on biotechnologies and green economy, took place on 13 March. The cluster initiative and the cooperative business agreement were signed by 26 commercial entities, including industrial enterprises, farmers, and self-employed businessmen from Belarus and Poland. OOO Polesie Technopark has been chosen as the cluster development organization. Polessky State University will act as an intellectual platform of the cluster. The cluster’s council was elected, too. It comprises heads of participating organizations, representatives of government agencies and the scientific community.

The innovation and industry cluster has been established as part of the efforts to implement the concept Polessky State University had prepared with assistance of the Economy Ministry. Konstantin Shebeko said: “It is very important for us that not only scientists and representatives of government agencies now believe in the cluster’s concept. The idea has also been backed by successful and respected entrepreneurs, who have created their own businesses. By becoming part of the cluster, they demonstrate they understand its meaning and tie the development of the business to it. I think a great window of opportunity has been opened today. If we use it wisely, then we will get a chance to move forward very fast and successfully in matters of green economy and science-intensive enterprises.”

A business forum dedicated to the formation of the innovation and industry cluster for biotechnological and green enterprises is scheduled to take place in Pinsk on 13-14 March. The event has been arranged as part of the efforts to implement the European Union’s project STI International Cooperation Network for EaP Countries Plus (EaP PLUS), where STI stands for science, technology, and innovation. Participants of the forum are busy discussing promising joint operation plans and the available R&D products, which can bring about new directions in the development of these companies. For instance, Polish partners from the transportation and logistics cluster North-South (Polnoc-Poludnie cluster in Gdansk) suggested several projects that Belarusian participants of the cluster may contribute to.

A presentation of innovative business projects by young developers is scheduled for 14 March. Titled as Pinsk Invest Weekend 9, the event will be held as part of the Polessky State University startup school.