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Oleg Plavsky noted that relations between Minsk Oblast and Pomorskie Voivodeship are important for Belarus as a whole. A number of projects, which are already being implemented in the region, are transboundary. ZAO Stadler Minsk in Fanipol supplies components to the Polish enterprises that belong to the Swiss company Stadler. Belaruskali exports more mineral fertilizers to Poland every year. Their recipe is designed specifically for the Polish market, thus testifying to even closer ties. Projects with Polish investments are being implemented in Minsk Oblast — OAO Mineral Wax Plant and SOO Sinyavka Furniture Factory. Logistics hubs in Belarus and Poland work as part of virtually the same chain.

The deputy head of the Minsk Oblast administration said: “I’d love trade and economic cooperation considerably expanded. On our part we are ready to assist with the advancement of any initiatives that benefit both economies.”

Oleg Plavsky reminded that various zones with preferential business operation terms are available in Minsk Oblast. Besides, freight trains with cargoes from China regularly cross Minsk Oblast on their way to Western Europe sea ports. They represent in essence monodirectional shipments. It is important for Polish and Belarusian companies to fill these trains on their way back. The China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone is meant to assist with reaching the goal. Oleg Plavsky underlined the interest of the Belarusian side in attracting additional projects from neighboring countries to the industrial park.

In turn, Krzysztof Trawicki mentioned the dynamic advancement of cooperation between Minsk Oblast and Pomorskie Voivodeship. This cooperation has reached the level of business and joint ventures. The Polish delegation at the 9^th Belarusian-Pomorskie forum included representatives of 16 companies. An agreement on cooperation between Belarusian Slutsk and Polish Tczew was signed the day before. The document provides for interaction between government agencies, including in cultural affairs and business exchange.

Krzysztof Trawicki talked about Pomorskie Voivodeship’s well-developed manufacturing sector in such areas as radio electronics, petrochemical industry, automation, and information technologies. “We are interested in advancing cooperation in these spheres with the Belarusian side, in particular, with Minsk Oblast,” said Krzysztof Trawicki. “It is necessary to take into account the geographical location of Pomorskie Voivodeship, which offers great prospects in transportation and logistics. Pomorskie Voivodeship is home to the largest container port in the Baltic Sea region. The network of automobile roads and air service are well-developed in the region.”

A presentation of Minsk Oblast’s economic, investment, industrial, transport, logistics, sport, tourism, and recreational potential took place during the plenary session of the forum. Business negotiations in the B2B format were arranged with a view to taking business contacts to the next level.

Pomorskie Voivodeship is one of Poland’s top five regions in terms of gross domestic product growth. Pomorskie Voivodeship boasts a well-developed manufacturing sector, transport, and logistics primarily thanks to the sea ports in Gdansk and Gdynia. Pomorskie Voivodeship also takes pride in its oil processing industry, tourism, information technologies, the processing of fish and agricultural products. Pomorskie Voivodeship manufacturers vigorously cooperate with partners from Belarus. Some of them are residents of the free economic zones Brest and Grodnoinvest. Many companies from Pomorskie Voivodeship import Belarusian products.

The Pomorskie Voivodeship delegation will stay in Minsk Oblast till 16 September. Members of the delegation are expected to visit a number of companies such as Henkel Bautechnik, Pharmland, the Nesvizh baby food factory, and the agricultural enterprise Agrokombinat Snov. The Polish guests will also be made familiar with the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone.

The initiative to arrange a Belarusian-Pomorskie regional economic forum was initially put forward by the Consulate General of Belarus in Gdansk and the Pomorskie Voivodeship government. The main purpose of the forum is to expedite the advancement of economic ties between regions of Belarus and Poland. The first forum of the kind took place in Wejherowo, Poland in 2007. The previous forum in 2016 took place in Gdansk. Business circles of the two countries use such forums to establish contacts and advance cooperation in trade, investment, and manufacturing.