Minsk Oblast and Vysocina Region, Czechia signed a memorandum of cooperation on 26 September. The document was signed by Minsk Oblast Governor Semyon Shapiro and Vysocina Region President Jiri Behounek.
Vysocina Region intends to step up cooperation with Minsk Oblast in the production sector, agriculture, and culture. “The delegation includes representatives of major companies of the food industry, brewing industry, enterprises involved in generating alternative kinds of energy. I hope all of them will establish contacts and will fruitfully cooperate with Belarusian colleagues,” said Jiri Behounek. “For the sake of tighter cooperation and meetings with a large number of heads of enterprises we would like to invite a Belarusian delegation to visit Vysocina Region,” said the Vysocina Region President.
Apart from that, Vysocina Region is interested in cooperation with Minsk Oblast in healthcare. Jiri Behounek suggested exchange programs for Minsk Oblast medics.
The Minsk Oblast Governor remarked that the implementation of joint business projects should become the priority avenue of cooperation between the regions in the future. Apart from that, Semyon Shapiro suggested setting up a joint center for potato farming. “Czechia is a major manufacturer of potatoes. Belarus is famed for growing potatoes since times immemorial. I think cooperation in this sphere would be beneficial for our regions,” noted the Minsk Oblast Governor. Jiri Behounek confirmed that the Czech side was interested in sharing the best practices and suggested establishing cooperation within the framework of the agriculture research and development center, which is being created in Vysocina Region.
The Vysocina Region delegation will stay in Minsk Oblast through 28 September. Representatives of government agencies and business circles of Czechia are expected to visit the Minsk Oblast children hospital, the Slutsk state college, the joint venture Unibox, Minsk Leather Production Association, the ancient folk crafts and technologies museum Dudutki, the national history and culture museum Nesvizh.
In January-July 2014 trade between Minsk Oblast and Czechia totaled $49.5 million, 15.3% down from the same period of last year. Minsk Oblast's export amounted to $15.6 million (94.1% as against January-July 2014), with import at $33.9 million (94.1%). The primary exports were potash fertilizers and aluminum structures. Minsk Oblast primarily imported milking equipment and telegraph equipment, food industry equipment.
In January-June 2014 investments from Czechia in Minsk Oblast reached $1.781 million or 120% as against the same period of last year. Net foreign direct investments amounted to $1.380 million. There are 39 companies with a share of Czech capital in Minsk Oblast.
Written by belta.by
