MINSK, 7 June (BelTA) – The first Belarus-Lithuania regional cooperation forum in Molodechno will take place on 8-9 June. Twenty-eight delegations from Lithuania are expected to attend it, BelTA learnt from Deputy Chairman of the Economy Committee of the Minsk City Hall Elena Sushkevich. The forum will gather more than 220 people, including about 120 businessmen and representatives of self governments of Lithuania. The countries are expected to sign three regional agreements on trade, economic, sci-tech and cultural cooperation. Kletsk, Molodechno and Oshmyany District will find their twin-towns. The participants of the plenary meeting will focus on promising areas of bilateral cooperation in the economic, sci-tech, social and investment areas, share experience in regional development, investment in Belarus. Minsk Oblast will display its regional potential. The forum will include the work of two sections: “Infrastructure projects in the real sector of the economy” (industry, rural and utilities sectors, investments, high technologies) and “Cooperation in humanitarian activities, tourism, hotel business”. Foreign guests will attend the 12th Belarusian Song and Poetry Festival, the 22nd International Exhibition Belagro-2012. Lithuania is among the biggest economic partners of Belarus and Minsk Oblast in particular. In 2011 the trade between Minsk Oblast and the Republic of Lithuania totaled $124.2 million, or 139.5% over 2010. Exports made up $73.3 million (154.5%), imports - $50.9 million (131.6%). Belarus posted trade surplus of $22.4 million. Belarus’ main exports included colza or mustard oil, fertilizers, petroleum jelly, lamp-wax, mineral wax. Imports from Lithuania comprised of oil products, fluid pumps, refrigerators, freezers. Minsk Oblast and Lithuania develop cooperation under the agreement on trade, economic, sci-tech and cultural cooperation. There are also a number of twin-town agreements between Belarusian and Lithuanian cities and regions. The organizers of the forum are the Minsk oblast executive committee and the Embassy of Belarus in Lithuania. БЕЛТА
Written by belta.by
