Business news

GRODNO, 9 June (BelTA) – Grodno Oblast has plans to showcase its potential at a large expo to be held in Russia’s Komi Republic in August 2016. The matter was discussed at a meeting between Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Kravtsov and a Komi Republic delegation on 9 June, BelTA has learned.

The Russian delegation visited Grodno Oblast to study its potential and discuss measures to develop closer cooperation. “We are eager to study practices used in Grodno Oblast in agriculture, coal processing, health resort treatment, tourism and culture,” Deputy Head of the Komi Government Tamara Nikolayeva said.

Grodno Oblast has cooperation agreements with 20 Russian regions, Vladimir Kravtsov noted. “The trade between the Belarusian region and the Komi Republic is not high, but there is a steady upward trend. Today we are eager to discuss ways to bolster our trade and investment cooperation and develop joint projects,” Vladimir Kravtsov emphasized.

During the working meeting, the parties identified areas of mutual interest that will be discussed more specifically in the near future. Vladimir Kravtsov received an invitation to present the industrial, economic, cultural and tourism potential of Grodno Oblast at a large expo of economic achievements to be held in the Komi Republic in August. The expo will bring together representatives of different regions of the Russian Federation. The meeting also discussed the possibility of supplying fruit, vegetables, and other agricultural produce to Russia’s Far North, improving the delivery schemes, and establishing investment cooperation in agriculture. The parties found points of contact in tourism, education and construction.

In 2015, the trade between Grodno Oblast and the Komi Republic totaled $663,300. Exports made up $427,500 and imports amounted to $235,800. Major exports of the Belarusian region were cane and beet sugar, bakery products and repair parts. Grodno Oblast imported from the Komi Republic paper, cardboard and synthetic fiber.