Enterprises of Vitebsk and Kashkadarya regions signed contracts worth $3 million
The visit of the Vitebsk region delegation to Uzbekistan took place from October 10 to 13. "This is a very interesting country for us with access to the Far East," noted the deputy head of the regional executive committee. "During the working trip, agreements on trade and economic cooperation were signed between the Vitebsk and Kashkadarya regions at the level of the two heads of regions, between Polotsk State University named after Euphrosyne of Polotsk and Karshi Engineering-Economics Institute, as well as an agreement between Vitebsk State University named after P.M. Masherov and Karshi State University. The parties signed two memorandums of cooperation between the free economic zones of the regions, the "Meat and Dairy Products" concern, and a company for the supply and processing of dairy products."
In addition to agreements and memorandums, following the trip, the parties concluded contracts worth about $3 million. "This includes the supply of our food products, woodworking products, electrical equipment for the oil industry, and measuring instruments. It is important to note that, considering the logistics of our region and Kashkadarya region, they also have railway and air connections. Representatives of FEZ "Bremno-Orsha" were with us in the delegation. There are certain agreements on товар exchange within the framework of logistics. It is clear that all these goods will be both exports from the territory of Belarus and imports," explained Angelina Nikitina.
According to her, the Vitebsk region was working on supplying its products to the market of Uzbekistan. The Kashkadarya region showed great interest in dairy products, electrical appliances, and cable products in terms of exchanging experience between enterprises in their production within the country. The delegation visited one of these enterprises, established a year ago by the Marko holding in the economic zone of the Kashkadarya region. Today, they are sewing shoes according to the patterns of the Vitebsk enterprise, employing over 200 people.
The regions plan to establish cooperation in several areas at once. "Footwear production, light industry, and most of all, our food products are of interest (to the Kashkadarya region. - Editorial note of BELTA). If they are creating new production facilities, new competencies, building dairy farms, and milk processing plants, they lack competencies in terms of specialists in this industry," noted the Deputy Chairperson of the Regional Executive Committee. "We are already working on exchanging experience with our students. The first graduation of Uzbek students will be in a year, and it will be our Veterinary Academy that will graduate them." Anzhelika Nikitina added that during the visit, the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, was awarded the title of Honorary Professor of the Samarkand State University of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Husbandry and Biotechnology.
"For now, our agreements are consolidated by bilateral trade and economic cooperation agreements and memorandums signed between the enterprises of the regions. All this will form a more detailed roadmap. My colleague, the Deputy Khokim of the Kashkadarya region, and I have decided to meet via video link and work through all agreements weekly," added the Deputy Head of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
A return visit of the Kashkadarya region delegation to Vitebsk is planned for the end of November.
Foreign trade turnover of the Vitebsk region with Uzbekistan in January-August 2022 increased 2.4 times and amounted to $17 million, of which $12.1 million accounted for exports. Almost half of the total export volume to Uzbekistan is medicinal products. Also supplied there were beef cattle meat, dry milk, baby food, tow and acrylic fibers, polyethylene, fiberglass products, plastics, MDF boards, lubricant additives, and other goods. The Vitebsk region imports fruits, vegetables, and dried fruits - 49%, cotton yarn, and refined copper wire.