Opinions & Interviews

UCCI president: Regional forum in Zhitomir will be rich in business contracts

ZHITOMIR, 3 October (BelTA) – The 2nd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine will be rich in business contracts, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) Gennadiy Chyzhykov said at the 8th session of the Ukrainian-Belarusian advisory council on business cooperation in Zhitomir on 3 October, BelTA has learned.

“Last year a new format of interregional cooperation was launched. Then, Gomel welcomed almost 800 participants from both the sides. There were doublers whether we need it or not. I was impressed by some figures. During the 1st forum we signed business contracts worth some $100 million. The current forum promises to become even more fruitful. We are set to sign five times more contracts between businessmen of Ukraine and Belarus,” said Gennadiy Chyzhykov.

“First of all we need to remember that our countries maintain fraternal relations. We understand each other, cooperate and are determined to continue in this vein. The two heads of state give an important signal to businessmen,” he stressed.

According to Gennadiy Chyzhykov, all Belarusian regions and 22 Ukrainian regions are present at the 2nd Forum of Regions. “This is a convincing proof of vibrant interregional cooperation,” the UCCI president said.

He thanked Belarus for the invitation to various business events and economic forums, adding that such cooperation has been yielding results, contributing to the growth of mutual trade. Gennadiy Chyzhykov believes that there are all conditions to reach $8 billion in bilateral trade in the near future.

“Today our economic relations are filling with new energy and new projects. A lot has been done, but there are certain issues we need to discuss. The Ukrainian business is first of all interested in transit matters. I think this is also true about Belarus. We need to decide on our shared value – the Dnieper and the Pripyat, and launch active navigation in the interests of business and people of the two countries. Both Ukrainian and Belarusian businessmen are showing interest in joining retail networks. Let’s provide assistance from both the sides,” said Gennadiy Chyzhykov.

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