An official delegation from China's Heilongjiang province visited Vitebsk
This was the first visit of a delegation from this region of the People's Republic of China to the region on the Dvina River. The guests, invited to the international economic forum, were familiarizing themselves with the potential of the Vitebsk region, studying its features, and outlining ways for further interaction.
Welcoming the representatives of Heilongjiang province, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Vladimir Belous emphasized the great importance of friendship between the Belarusian and Chinese peoples and gave specific examples of fruitful cooperation:
— In 2012-2013, an investment project was implemented for the construction of a gas turbine unit in Novolukoml, Chashniki District. Investments from the Chinese side amounted to about 280 million dollars. Currently, the construction of the Vitebsk Hydroelectric Power Station is underway.
The first electricity was supplied to the grid at the end of last year, and now all four turbines are operating in the commissioning mode. In the coming days, the state commission acceptance certificate for the facility will be signed. We are also grateful to the Chinese side for the construction of social housing in the Republic of Belarus.
Vladimir Belous explained that the trade turnover of the Vitebsk region with China is not yet very large, and imports prevail in it. Therefore, the region would like to increase export supplies. Areas of interaction can be diverse. The northern region of Belarus is ready to offer high-quality products of the oil refining industry, flax fiber, sawn timber, and various types of confectionery and liqueur and vodka products. There are also prospects for joint projects in the fields of education and culture.
Having become acquainted
with our region, the head of the delegation, Deputy Chairman of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chen Yudong, noted that the Chinese region he represents is similar to it in many ways: both in natural conditions and in economic development directions. Although, of course, the population density of the territories differs significantly: the aforementioned province of the PRC has 38 million people, and its administrative center, the city of Harbin, has more than 10 million inhabitants, while the entire Vitebsk region has only about 1.2 million. Considering the population of the PRC region, it is understandable that this is a large and promising market.— The establishment of sister-city relations between our two regions is a very good thing, — said Chen Yudong. — The main goal of the trip to you is to deepen mutual understanding. This is the basis for further cooperation.
In addition to the events of the investment forum and the meeting at the regional executive committee, guests from China visited the "Vitba" plant and familiarized themselves with the production process. They also organized a tasting of delicious products, after which representatives of the Department of Commerce of Heilongjiang Province promised to look for a trading partner for the enterprise from the Dvina region in their region.
The regions will continue to expand mutual contacts. Guests from the PRC invited the host party to the June exhibition fair in Harbin, where potential consumers can be introduced more closely to our products.
In addition, Chen Yudong reported, a business meeting with the participation of enterprises of Heilongjiang Province in the field of science and technology will be held in Minsk in September, during which directions for cooperation can also be outlined.
Lilia Ivchenko. Photo by Anton Stepanishchev. "Vitebskiye Vesti".