Ambassador discusses cooperation prospects between Vitebsk Oblast, Russian regions

The ambassador noted that due to its geographical position Vitebsk Oblast closely interacts with Russian regions. “First of all, it is worth mentioning that the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee and Russian regions concluded 28 cooperation agreements in economy, social and humanitarian areas. In line with a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee is responsible for promoting cooperation with Volgograd Oblast and Saratov Oblast of Russia. Of course, Smolensk Oblast and Pskov Oblast are natural partners of Vitebsk Oblast due to their geographical proximity,” Boris Gryzlov said.

He recalled the recent Days of Pskov Oblast in Vitebsk. The event was attended by a delegation of the Russian region headed by Governor Mikhail Vedernikov. The cultural and economic exchange is quite dynamic. This year Vitebsk Oblast has exchanged visits with Saratov Oblast. “It is noteworthy that in 2022 the trade between Vitebsk Oblast and the Russian Federation grew significantly, by as much as 12.9%. At the same time, the export from Vitebsk Oblast to Russia increased by 16%. This trend remains in place throughout this year. In the past six months, the export from Vitebsk Oblast to Russia expanded by 25.9%.This is a huge growth. It should be noted that enterprises with Russian capital also successfully operate in Vitebsk Oblast. They include VIC Animal Health, a joint venture with Lukoil that makes oil additives, Belwest footwear company, Monolith. Russia accounts for 58.3% of investments that Vitebsk Oblast received from other countries. The interaction is very close,” the ambassador emphasized.

Speaking about cooperation prospects, Boris Gryzlov said that the day before he visited two enterprises in Orsha. “Krasny Borets Machine Tool Plant discussed joint machine tool production with Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. This is what we can call a promising cooperation project. I also visited Orsha Linen Mill, the impressions are very good. Flax and linen products were among the main export items in our common historical homeland. It is our common task to breathe life back into the linen industry. It is necessary to expand the land under flax, introduce new technologies, improve flax quality, and most importantly, make good linen products. In other words, instead of exporting commodities with low added value, we should export linen products,” Boris Gryzlov said.

He added that he managed to have a tour of Vitebsk and study its cultural legacy. The ambassador learned that the city hosts five international cultural events. This is the field where Vitebsk Oblast and Russian regions also have points of contact.