Business news

GRODNO, 25 February (BelTA) – Belarus’ Grodno Oblast and the Komi Republic of Russia intend to cooperate in the field of woodworking. The agreement was reached during a meeting between the Russian delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Komi government Elman Khudazarov and Chairman of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee Vladimir Kravtsov, BelTA has learned.

The meeting discussed the prospects of cooperation between Grodno Oblast and the northern region of Russia. "Our region intends to strengthen and enhance the cooperation with the Republic of Belarus which has waned in recent years. We are set to develop a joint action plan with Belarus in general and Grodno Oblast in particular because the region is most interesting for us,” the head of the Russian delegation told journalists.

The government of the Komi Republic is ready to present Grodno Oblast more concrete proposals from business. Among them, first of all, are the projects in woodworking projects to establish joint production facilities, to process wood and manufacture products including for export. Other projects provide for the production of organic food products, and construction materials. The guests expressed their willingness to work together in tourism, healthcare. Russian businesses are interested in both large and small projects in the border region of Belarus.

Vladimir Kravtsov supported these ideas: wood processing is the area of interest for Grodno Oblast too. The region has a successful history of working with foreign partners and intends to develop it. In addition, the local woodworking enterprises need raw expensive wood which the region does not have.

Other possible areas of cooperation include the production of farm machines, buses, and also logistics. Foreign partners has been active in this sector in recent years as the border region is a great place for transporting, storage, unloading and further delivery of goods to other countries. Grodno Oblast has lots of transport opportunities including road, rail and air.

Elman Khudazarov stressed that first of all the cooperation should be established by business which should seek direct contacts. Government bodies must create conditions for this. He expressed the hope that the visit will be an important step, not only in the development of long-term relationships but will give a momentum to economic development.

The Russian delegation is set to visit the Grodnoinvest Free Economic Zone, health and spa facilities, rural tourism entities, a number of companies, and take a tour around the city.

Representatives of Grodno Oblast were invited to travel to the Komi Republic on a return visit in late March - early April to continue the movement towards fruitful interaction.