Issues of business interaction between free and special economic zones within the Union State and the EAEU were discussed in Vitebsk
A panel discussion of this scale and topic was held in Belarus for the first time. The initiator was the FEZ "Vitebsk". As explained by the head of its administration, Mikhail Skurat, the idea was born during an international forum held in Dubna, Moscow region.
– We agreed to hold a meeting on the Vitebsk platform, the main task of which is to bring together representatives of FEZs and SEZs from three countries (Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan) on a single platform to develop specific cooperation projects for their subsequent financing from funds allocated by the Eurasian Economic Commission for subsidizing such programs, – noted Mikhail Skurat.
Among the main topics discussed were ways of cooperation between territories with preferential regimes in the Union State and the EAEU, mechanisms for increasing their investment attractiveness, and financing joint investment projects.
Initially, such economic zones were created at the state level as growth points with attractive conditions for investors. And they have proven their viability. For example, today, projects for the production of high-tech products in the pharmaceutical, machine-building and tool-making, food and light industries are being implemented on the sites of the FEZ "Vitebsk". The young, actively developing free economic zone "Bremno-Orsha" has registered six residents and is implementing nine investment projects, primarily aimed at developing and providing transport and logistics services. In the current five-year period, the volume of investments by residents of the region's FEZs exceeds one billion dollars.
Further development of free economic zones within the Union State and the Eurasian Economic Union holds great promise, primarily in terms of implementing joint projects for the development of industrial cooperation.
Ilya Fedorov, representative of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus, noted that there are 56 special economic zones operating in Russia.
“Not only is the exchange of experience with management companies from different countries important, but also the interaction between residents. We have great potential in terms of cooperation and market promotion. Within the EAEU, an instrument for supporting industrial cooperation has been introduced, which extends to at least three countries. This format of work is very interesting and has great prospects. Two projects have already been approved,” emphasized Ilya Fedorov.
One of these projects involves the resident of the FEZ "Vitebsk" – HydroPress LLC. This is a large-scale project for the development of a high-speed highway. The first line will connect Moscow and St. Petersburg. A total of four routes are planned, one of which is Minsk – Moscow. The high-speed train, traveling at 400 km/h, will allow travel between the two capitals in 3 hours.
“Our enterprise has received a good commercial order. We are supplying equipment (four presses) for the Murom Switch Plant, which has developed an innovative switch turnout that will be used for the high-speed highway. We are proud to participate in a joint program of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan. This is a very promising direction with a significant impact,” explained Alexander Lukashok, Development Director of HydroPress LLC.
Damir Kadyr, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the International Center for Border Cooperation "Khorgos," spoke about the investment attractiveness of the Kazakh special economic zone.
– "Khorgos" is located on the border of Kazakhstan and China, its main activity is tourism. A 30-day visa-free regime is provided for representatives of different countries in this territory. Preferential terms have been created for investors who are opening trade and entertainment centers here. There are plans to establish an industrial zone, and residents will be able to export goods to the People's Republic of China without hindrance, – said Damir Kadir.
Within the framework of the forum, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the economic zones "Khorgos" and "Vitebsk".
The guests were acquainted with the products of the resident enterprises of the FEZ "Vitebsk" and with the tourism potential of the Pridvinye region.