Vitebsk discussed prospects for cooperation and strengthening relations with China, Slovakia, and India
– The visit of the People's Republic of China to our region will strengthen friendly ties, expand contacts, and increase the degree of interaction in the most relevant areas of cooperation, – emphasized the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin. – Today, we have good opportunities for deepening joint activities of enterprises, scientific organizations, cultural, educational, sports, and tourism institutions, as well as for creating the most favorable conditions for attracting investors.
Vitebsk region and China have many points of contact. For example, our country is a direct participant in the Chinese initiative "One Belt, One Road". In May, during a meeting with PRC Chairman Xi Jinping, special attention was paid to the development of cooperation in the investment, construction, financial, and agro-industrial sectors.
– The potential for cooperation is huge. The regions of the People's Republic of China are famous for their agricultural production, and the Vitebsk region, considering its existing competencies, is ready for cooperation in the field of agro-industrial production, including the exchange of technologies, agronomic practices, and breeding of agricultural plants, – noted the Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Anzhelika Nikitina. – The topic of building new dairy farms, poultry farms, and pig fattening and breeding complexes is also very relevant for us. Today, China has advanced very far in this direction, and you have successful technologies for agricultural production.
Among other areas, Anzhelika Nikitina noted tourism, trade, and industry.
– Vitebsk region has sufficient raw materials (timber, peat, mineral waters, etc.). The region's enterprises are ready to consider the possibility of organizing joint ventures in mechanical engineering, light industry, production of building materials, joint extraction, processing, production and sale of finished products (pulp, viscose, fertilizers, etc.).
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Belarus, Mr. Zhang Xiangchen, emphasized that under the leadership of the leaders, relations between China and Belarus are at the highest level.
– This is my first visit to the Vitebsk region. Following the meeting, we agreed to further strengthen our traditional friendship and cooperation. We intend to exchange large delegations, further strengthen cooperation in agriculture, industry, culture, education, and tourism, – said Mr. Zhang Xiangchen.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to the Republic of Belarus, Mr. Jozef Migash, intends to develop a roadmap and implement joint projects.
– We also want to resume cultural relations so that Slovak ensembles visit you and hold joint sporting events. The high level of education in your universities, such as VGMU and the Veterinary Academy, is also worth noting, – said Mr. Jozef Migash. – We intend to use our potential for the benefit of both countries and create good conditions for the growth of our relations.
At a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Republic of Belarus, Ashok Kumar, the head of the region emphasized that India is a country with a rich, ancient culture and art. He proposed to pay special attention to interaction in the field of education and culture and to organize student visits.
– We are also interested in creating new cooperation chains for the production of products, including pharmaceuticals, with large manufacturers, – said Alexander Subbotin.