MINSK, 30 March (BelTA) – A delegation of the Minsk oblast led by Chairman of the Minsk oblast executive committee Leonid Krupets is set to visit Latvia on 30-31 March, BelTA learnt from the economy department of the Minsk oblast Executive Committee. The Belarusian delegation will take part in a business forum “Belarusian-Latvian Regional Cooperation. The Minsk Oblast Discovers Latvia”, in Riga on 31 March. The forum will highlight economic and investment potential of the Minsk oblast and study the possible avenues of cooperation. Taking part in the forum will be Alfred Cepanis, chairman of the board of the Association for assistance of the Belarusian-Latvian economic ties, Kirov Lipman, co-chairman of the Belarusian-Latvian council for business cooperation, Ainar Slesers, Riga Vice-Mayor and chairman of the board of the Riga Free Port. The sides are expected to sign agreements on cooperation between the Minsk Free Economic Zone and the Riga Free Port Administration and the Association for assistance of the Belarusian-Latvian economic ties, the Borisov region executive committee, and Valmiera City Council. The Belarusian delegation will also meet with the Economy Minister of Latvia Artis Kampars and Agriculture Minister Janis Duklavs. The delegation will also pay a visit to the Riga Free Port and get familiar with the work of its terminals, post services and Grindex pharmaceutical company. In 2009 the bilateral trade between the Minsk oblast and Latvia totaled $40.4 million (the export amounted to $26.1; the import was $14.2 million). In January 2010, the Minsk oblast exported $900,000 and imported $500,000 worth of commodities. The Minsk oblast exported the oil products ($8.8 million), rape sees ($6.1 million), salt ($1.1 million), and imported putties, mastics, and coatings ($1.5 million), gypsum, anhydrite, alabaster ($800,000), and animal nutrition products ($1 million). Belarus and Latvia has not concluded any agreements on inter-regional cooperation so far, while Borisov and Valmiers signed a protocol of intent on cooperation in 2002. БЕЛТА
Written by belta.by
