Second Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine

At a session of the 2nd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine on 4 October Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko named priorities of bilateral economic cooperation.

“Naturally, Ukraine is one of Belarus’ major trading partners. Our trade grew by nearly 20% over the past year, however there is still room for growth. The common history and neighborhood determined cooperation priorities in economy and other sectors. The priority avenues of cooperation include fuel and energy sector, agriculture and industry, transport and logistics,” the Belarusian head of state said.

The President emphasized that the parties had a meaningful discussion of a great number of issues on 4 October, therefore these talks were not just the first meeting of the two presidents. “This was more like clearing the debris that emerged in recent years. Unfortunately, we are the ones who should pick up the pieces. We have started doing it today,” he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that 120 cooperation agreements are in effect between the regions, districts and cities of the two countries. They provide an institutional framework for economic cooperation, trade, cultural and humanitarian contacts. The scale of this cooperation allowed holding the first Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine in Gomel in 2018. “The forum gave an opportunity to equal partners and good neighbors to hold a dialogue that resulted in commercial contracts and agreements worth over $100 million. This forum brought over half a billion dollars. It is important that all arrangements are observed.  A new substantial package of documents signed today is a testimony to the relevance and importance of this format of relations,” the President said.

A reminder, business circles and enterprises of Belarus and Ukraine signed dozens of documents to the tune of over $540 million at the 2nd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine. “New avenues have been opened up with the relevant contracts signed. I am talking about not only conventional petrochemical industry and mechanical engineering but also about civil engineering, light industry, and food industry. We are expanding our export portfolio,” Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Ulakhovich said following the eighth session of the Belarus-Ukraine advisory council on business cooperation on 3 October.