Business news

BREST, 1 August (BelTA) - Brest Oblast Governor Anatoly Lis met with a delegation of Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh Region in Brest on 1 August, BelTA has learned

The delegation includes the heads of two special economic zones in Uzbekistan, large enterprises, including those with partners in Belarus. The head of Jizzakh region Ergash Saliev outlined three most promising, in his view, areas of interregional cooperation. “First of all, these are the projects in the livestock industry. In Jizzakh Region we have some 900,000 head of cattle. But, it unfortunately, not as productive as the cattle you have here. It would be interesting to explore projects in the poultry industry, especially meat processing. Large areas that used to be planted with cotton are being vacated in our region thanks to the use of innovations. We use these territories for gardens, fruits and vegetables. In this regard, we are also interested in processing and storage of vegetables,” Ergash Saliev said.

The head of the delegation is considering several options to get the plans implemented: direct investment, joint ventures, acquisition of new technologies and equipment. He noted that in recent years Jizzakh Region has seen an increased attention from investors. “This year, direct investments from different countries in our region will amount to $3.2 billion. On 29-30 August Jizzakh will host an international investment forum. We will send invitations to representatives of Brest Oblast. Even if we or you do not make direct investment in each other, we could find partners,” Ergash Saliev noted.

According to Brest Oblast Governor Anatoly Lis, there are common topics. They are interesting. The outlined issues require further consideration. “We have big companies such as Savushkin Product dairy. For our part, we may suggest building an advanced milk processing company in your region. With regard to the livestock sector, we need to undertake some research as certain breeds require certain climate,” the governor said.

He took note of a significant increase in mutual trade. In January-May the trade between Brest Oblast and Uzbekistan totaled $11.2 million, up by 417.3% as against the same period last year. Brest Oblast had a surplus in trade with Uzbekistan.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Belarus Nasirjan Yusupov welcomed the growing cooperation. “I am very pleased that the regions are establishing horizontal ties. This is only the beginning. The exchange of visits will intensify in the future. We will be working to develop not only economic cooperation but also humanitarian ties,” the diplomat said.

The Jizzakh Region delegation is set to meet with producers of Brest Oblast in the science and technology park and visit the Savushkin Product dairy and Santa Bremor fish processing company.