Events

MINSK, 6 October (BelTA) – A program to guide trade, economic, scientific, technical, and humanitarian cooperation between Belarus and Saint Petersburg in 2017-2021 will be signed during Saint Petersburg Days in Minsk, BelTA learned from Saint Petersburg Vice Governor Sergei Movchan during the opening ceremony of the business forum for representatives of the business circles of Belarus and Saint Petersburg in Minsk on 6 October.

A similar program on cooperation in 2012-2016 is nearly over. “It is the main document that determines the bilateral relations. The best things from the old document will be prolonged into the new one. I hope it will be a balanced document that will allow working taking into account modern challenges,” said the Saint Petersburg Vice Governor.

He mentioned the successful implementation of Belarusian-Russian projects in engine development and manufacturing, production of machines and equipment for power engineering industry, agricultural mechanical engineering. “The Saint Petersburg government will continue effectively developing and supporting these branches. They will become new growth points in our relations,” stressed Sergei Movchan.

The Saint Petersburg Vice Governor also mentioned import substitution as an example of successful cooperation. Belarusian companies have taken part in expos hosted by the Saint Petersburg import substitution center many times.

Sergei Movchan mentioned he would like to see more Belarusian products in Saint Petersburg cafes and restaurants. He praised the quality of Belarusian products.

Saint Petersburg Days are scheduled to take place in Minsk on 6-8 October. The event has been arranged for the sake of stepping up humanitarian cooperation and developing economic ties between companies of Saint Petersburg and Minsk, for finding potential partners and for setting up joint ventures. The delegation of the Russian city includes over 100 people, who are representatives of municipal government agencies, people of culture, heads of enterprises and organizations.

A number of events will be held as part of Saint Petersburg Days in Belarus. Those include a business forum involving representatives of the business communities of Saint Petersburg and Belarus, roundtable sessions on topics of mutual interest (cooperation in food trade, trade and economic affairs, a session of the city program Petersburg Startup), a business matchmaking session, visits to Minsk’s top enterprises, and concerts of Saint Petersburg artists.