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In her words, Belarus and Latvia maintain close trade, economic and cultural ties. However, the countries need to expand their cooperation areas. The Latvian Economy Minister believes that apart from traditional partnership in mechanical engineering, woodworking, transport and transit, the countries need to develop cooperation in science and IT. In order to study promising cooperation in these areas, Dana Reizniece Ozola will pay a visit to the Hi-Tech Park. “Latvia seeks ways to become a more competitive country. It is impossible to do without information technology. We see that this sector is well-developed in Belarus. There are good specialists in the country,” she said.

The Latvian minister also took note of cooperation in tourism. “The number of Belarusian tourists to Latvia has been recently increasing. Last year this figure grew up by one third,” she noted.

The Days of Latvia in Belarus are underway from 20 October through 20 November 2015. On 20 October Minsk will play host to the Latvian-Belarusian business forum that is organized by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia under the auspices of the National Investment and Privatization Agency of Belarus and the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The cultural program of the Days will include a culinary master-class, a presentation of the Latvian clothes brand Coo Culte at the Belarusian Fashion Week, a media breakfast at the Coo Culte store and a concert of singer Aminata.

Latvia-Belarus trade in goods and services totaled €565.4 million in 2014. Belarus became Latvia’s 12 biggest partner in foreign trade. The export of goods and services to Belarus made up €212 million (1.5% of Latvia’s total export). Latvia’s import of Belarusian products reached €353.5 million (2.4%).