MOLODECHNO, 8 June (BelTA) - Two agreements on trade and economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation were concluded between the regions of Belarus and Lithuania in the course of the Belarusian-Lithuanian forum in Molodechno, BelTA has learnt. Molodechno has established twin-twon relations with Lithuanian Elektrenai, Svisloch District with Uukmerge District. The forum also discussed infrastructure projects in the real production sector, cooperation in the humanitarian area, tourism, and hospitality business. The first Belarus-Lithuania regional cooperation forum is taking place in Molodechno on 8-9 June. Taking part in the forum are representatives of the central and local authorities of Belarus and Lithuania and the business community. The forum is aimed to expand trade, economic, sci-tech and humanitarian cooperation between the regions of the two countries. The next forum will take place in Lithuania in 2013. Lithuania has traditionally been the most important economic partner of Belarus. Bilateral trade and economic relations have been increasingly vibrant recently. In 2011 the bilateral trade amounted to a record high $1.2 billion, which was well above $480 million in 2005. Belarusian exports exceeded $859 million, up almost 50% from a year earlier. Belarus had a surplus of $562.5 million in trade with Lithuania. Since 2005, the trade in services increased four times to a total of $550 million in 2011. Lithuanian investments in the Republic of Belarus went up 2.3 times on 2010 ($114.4 million). The bilateral trade keeps growing this year as well. БЕЛТА
Written by belta.by
