Business news

VITEBSK, 31 July (BelTA) – Poland’s Lodz Province is interested in cooperation in agriculture with Belarus’ Vitebsk Oblast, the head of the Polish delegation, Chairman of the Lodz Regional Assembly Marek Mazur told the media in the Vitebsk regional administration on 31 July, BelTA has learned.

According to Marek Mazur, the Polish delegation has come to learn more about the agriculture and food production industries in Vitebsk Oblast and is going to visit some local farms.

“In agriculture we cooperate with the Austrian region of Styria. Our commission members regular meet with colleagues from Austria. We are ready to share the experience with Vitebsk partners,” Marek Mazur said.

The chairman of the agriculture commission of the Lodz Regional Assembly, the owner of a dairy farm Dariusz Szpakowski invited Belarusian colleagues to fight against African swine fever by joint efforts, to share ways and methods of protection. He also assured that he is ready to study the proposals for cooperation in agriculture and to share them with his business partners in Poland.

In turn, the vice chairman of the economy committee of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Konstantin Cherny noted that in May of this year the delegation of the Lodz Regional Development Agency visited the Belarusian region to discuss some plans for cooperation. “I hope that during your current visit we will determine the main areas of cooperation. We are ready to suggest some,” he noted.

Konstantin Cherny emphasized the advantageous geographical location of Vitebsk Oblast. A multi-modal industrial-logistic center is currently being built in Orsha. Once it is up and running, it will become a good transit platform. Advantages of cooperation between companies registered in the EU and firms in the EAEU were also highlighted.

“We are also interested in the construction of pig-breeding farms, large dairy farms. It is important for us to expand the raw zone for milk production as its processing capacities are twice as much as those of raw materials. Another promising area is woodworking,” Konstantin Cherny said.

“We expect a delegation of Vitebsk Oblast to attend the European Economic Forum which is due in Lodz in October 2018. The Lodz Regional Development Agency has been actively cooperating with the Vitebsk Office of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Vitebsk Oblast Marketing Center,” Marek Mazur said.

The parties discussed cooperation in cultural, education and social sectors. Proposals were made to develop regional cooperation.

On 31 July, the Polish delegation is set to visit a number of companies and take part in a cultural program.