21 October, Smolensk /Diana Kurilo – BELTA/. The Customs Union and the Single Economic Space will give new impetus to the economic contacts of the regions of Belarus and Russia, stated unanimously today the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, and the Governor of the Smolensk Region, Sergey Antufiev, in response to a question from a BELTA correspondent. The Customs Union and the Single Economic Space open broad prospects for the creation of joint ventures, mutually beneficial trade, and cooperation in mechanical engineering and agriculture, noted Alexander Kosinets. In his opinion, the trade turnover between the Vitebsk and Smolensk regions can grow from $151 million this year to $1 billion. "In the Vitebsk and Smolensk regions, development programs are being implemented that can be integrated and mutually supplemented, for example, programs for the development of small-scale power engineering and flax cultivation," he added. "The new format of economic relations with a free trade zone will give impetus to our economic ties," emphasized the Governor of the Smolensk Region. A trade turnover of $1 billion is an achievable figure, he is confident. "We see further growth in mutual trade turnover in enhancing the economic potential of the regions. By joining our efforts, we can solve many problems related to the implementation of new technologies," he noted. -0-

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