Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 7 February (BelTA) – Digital cooperation is the most promising field of interaction for Estonia and Belarus, Estonian Ambassador to Belarus Merike Kokajev told the media ahead of the Belarus-Estonia business forum on 7 February, BelTA has learned.

According to the diplomat, businessmen from Belarus and Estonia show greater interest in cooperation in 2018. “We hope they will find permanent business partners today. We can cooperate in different economic sectors, including mechanical engineering and agriculture. In my opinion, however, digital cooperation is the most promising field. We are preparing for a visit of Estonia’s foreign minister scheduled for spring and a visit of the Estonian PM scheduled for autumn. The latter will be accompanied by a large business delegation. A forum for companies will be held, too. Such high-level visits help businessmen find new contacts,” she said.

The ambassador commended the level of Belarus-Estonia trade and stressed that there is potential for growth.

The interest of Estonian businessmen in Belarus is constantly growing, Head of the Johvi Office of Estonia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Margus Ilmjarv remarked. “The delegation that came today comprises 24 members, which is twice as many as in 2017. Each of the 13 Estonian companies has specific proposals: to search for a subcontractor in Belarus, purchase some components here, or sell its own products,” he stated.

A business matchmaking session at the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is meant to help 50 Belarusian companies hold bilateral talks with Estonian companies that have an interest in cooperation in manufacturing mining equipment, quarry machinery, metallurgical products, industrial equipment, food products, medicines, logistics services, and other things.