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Innovations and investment forum in Vitebsk to highlight import substitution

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VITEBSK, 17 April (BelTA) – The international economic forum "Innovations. Investment. Prospects" will be held in Vitebsk on 18-19 May for the 11th time. This year’s edition will focus on import substitution, Deputy Chairwoman of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Anzhelika Nikitina said at a press conference, BelTA has learned.

After the West imposed economic sanctions it has become increasingly important to produce locally much of what was previously purchased abroad. Enterprises of Vitebsk Oblast will present their capabilities in import substitution.

"At the forum, we will present the higher educational institutions of the region in a kind of single cluster with industrial enterprises. In previous years universities demonstrated their achievements separately. For example, Vitebsk State Technological University will be presented together with light industry enterprises, Polotsk State University together with the construction industry, petrochemistry and so on," Anzhelika Nikitina said.

The changes will also affect the format of the large-scale event. "We will hold panel discussions in various areas - industry, tourism, education, IT. The opening ceremony will be held near the Summer Amphitheater," Anzhelika Nikitina said.

A month before the forum, industrial factories of both Vitebsk Oblast and other regions of Belarus, guests from the regions of Russia, and other countries, are actively registering to participate in the event. "The main partner of Vitebsk Oblast is the Russian Federation. Six regions have already confirmed their participation at the level of administrative and municipal units. I am not talking about business communities and enterprises. Cooperation with Asian countries is relevant now, and we have competencies that we will also showcase. Two regions of China have confirmed their participation. We are are negotiating with the third one. Representatives of India and Iran will be in attendance. We are also expecting a delegation from Pakistan," Angelika Nikitina added.

Vitebsk Oblast will be represented by major industrial enterprises (about 60 of them). Together with universities and colleges they will demonstrate their scientific capabilities. Young people will present their startups at the forum.

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