Business news

GRODNO, 15 August (BelTA) - Grodno Oblast intends to start exporting food to Italy and China, Chairman of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee Vladimir Kravtsov told reporters during a phone-in with residents on 15 August, BelTA has learned.

The Governor briefed the reporters on some results of the participation of the region in international presentation events. Thus, the delegation of Grodno Oblast recently returned from Italy where they held negotiations with the Italian region of Veneto, and took part in the Days of Grodno Oblast at Milano EXPO 2015. “By taking part in the EXPO 2015, we demonstrated our capabilities and achievements of our industrial manufacturers, processing enterprises. Representatives of our enterprises and organizations also visited the Italian enterprises, got acquainted with advanced technologies and experiences. A number of companies reached preliminary agreements on the supply of their products to Italy,” said the Governor.

He noted that the matter is about food supplies. The Governor expressed hope that export of non-food goods will be possible too. First of all Grodno Oblast is developing ties with the Italian region of Veneto which has a well-developed machine-building sector, metallurgy, light industry, optics, agricultural and tourism sectors.

Grodno Oblast has good prospects for the development of export to China. "Two months ago, the region participated in a large exhibition in Lanzhou in Gansu Province. Chinese partners showed a keen interest in the products of our enterprises. For example, they expressed the intention to import $1 million worth of products made by Neman Glassworks. Negotiations were also held with our dairies. Preliminary agreements were reached with OAO Bellakt and Molochny Mir Dairy,” said Vladimir Kravtsov.

Chinese business expressed investment intentions for Grodno Oblast. For example, Chinese businessmen intend to purchase one of the hotels in Grodno, and build a large logistics center at the airport. "We expect decisions on these projects in the near future," said Vladimir Kravtsov.