Opinions & Interviews

GOMEL, 25 October (BelTA) – Industrial cooperation is a promising area of interaction for Belarus and Ukraine, Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BelCCI) Vladimir Ulakhovich told the media at the meeting of the Belarus-Ukraine Business Cooperation Advisory Council in Gomel on 25 October. The meeting is held as part of the ongoing 1^st Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine, BelTA has learned.

“The Advisory Council is a platform where business discusses the most acute problems. We also discuss promising projects, new opportunities,” said Vladimir Ulakhovich. He named the development of industrial cooperation as one of the most important topics. “It is necessary to look for opportunities for setting up joint manufacturing facilities. The engineering sector is the most promising industry. I think [on the forum] there will be proposals regarding road-building equipment. We also expect machine-tool construction proposals,” said the BelCCI chairman.

Vladimir Ulakhovich also considers it important to use the potential of the two countries for common goals. “Belarus can offer the promotion of joint products to the market of the Eurasian Economic Union. Under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, we can see that it is possible for our joint products to go to the European Market market,” he said.

The chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry stressed that for business, constraints and barriers, which still unfortunately exist, have always been an acute issue. “They arise due to the fact that the laws are changing. Therefore, the discussion of technical regulations and standards is another important topic,” Vladimir Ulakhovich added.

The issues considered by the parties at the meeting include the development of a draft agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Belarus to approve the Electronic Certificate of Origin System. The parties also discuss interregional cooperation and the export potential of the regions, prospects for using trading platforms to expand mutual trade between Belarus and Ukraine, business cooperation in various fields.

The parties plan to sign a number of business contracts and agreements. The participants of the meeting are also set to hold talks in the business networking format.

The Belarus-Ukraine Business Cooperation Advisory Council was established in 2010 with the aim to facilitate the development of cooperation between Belarus and Ukraine in the trade and economic sector, expand contacts between the business community, increase trade between the two countries.