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Belarusian Grodno Oblast signs agreements with Russia’s Bashkortostan, Tomsk Oblast

GRODNO, 29 June (BelTA) – Belarusian Grodno Oblast signed agreements on interregional cooperation with Russia’s Republic of Bashkortostan and Tomsk Oblast on the sidelines of the 8th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, BelTA has learned.

Today, the agreements have been signed, in a working order, by Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Karanik. The documents have already been signed by the Russian partners and handed over to Grodno Oblast through diplomatic channels. The agreements provide for the development of interregional ties in trade, economy, science, technology, social and cultural affairs.

Vladimir Karanik noted that Grodno Oblast has signed a total of 25 agreements with Russia's regions. "The forum has become a platform for further development of strategic partnership between the two countries. Every time we find more common ground in different areas," he said.

According to Vladimir Karanik, Russia remains the key foreign trading partner of Grodno Oblast. The Russian market accounts for more than 50% of the region's exports. Local enterprises continue to tap into the market, increasing the range of products and expanding the geography of supplies. The forum also contributes to this. Regional producers, especially meat and dairy manufacturers and also industrial enterprises have signed RUB12 billion worth of contracts with Russian partners.

“Cooperation in science and technology is as important. Joint projects will stimulate mutual trade. Thanks to R&D of our scientists we will be able to increase the competitiveness of our companies in foreign markets," Vladimir Karanik said. He noted that another theme of mutual cooperation is the development of digitalization and consolidation of efforts on this front. According to him, it is important that the forum will also highlight the lessons of the pandemic. “Life shows that we cannot discount infectious diseases and need to create the economy resistant to external challenges and shocks,” the governor noted.

The 8th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia kicked off on 29 June and will be running through 1 July. Its main events will be held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plenary session, the key event of the forum, will be held on 1 July via a video link. The list of speakers includes heads of government bodies, ministries and departments, representatives of business communities of the two countries, and also digitalization experts.  In order to give a new impetus to the digitization process and the development of the common scientific and technological space in the Union State, Belarusian and Russian enterprises will sign several cooperation agreement and contracts on the sidelines of the forum.

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