Opinions & Interviews

GOMEL, 26 October (BelTA) – Belarus and Ukraine are capable of developing robust industrial cooperation that will help them enter new markets of the European Union, Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development, Building and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, said at the opening of the plenary session Prospects for Regional Cooperation of Belarus and Ukraine held as part of the 1^st Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine in Gomel on 26 October, BelTA has learned.

“Today, the quality of Belarusian and Ukrainian goods makes it possible to enter new markets - the markets of the European Union,” said Hennadii Zubko. Here, the parties see one of the strategic steps to increase mutual trade. The plan for $8 billion in trade in 2019 can be achieved not only through mutual export and import of goods and services but also through the development of joint ventures, the vice prime minister of Ukraine emphasized.

The major areas for industrial cooperation include such industries as energy, mechanical engineering and agriculture.

According to Hennadii Zubko, the forum will help strengthen relations at the level of the two countries and their regions. “It is important to develop relations in tourism, culture and other sectors,” he added.

Gomel is hosting the 1^st Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine on 25-26 October.