As explained by the co-chairperson of the group from the Belarusian side, Deputy Chairperson of the Regional Executive Committee Anzhelika Nikitina, cooperation between the two regions began two years ago. During this time, a number of cooperation documents have been signed.
– At the recent meeting, we considered various areas of social development – education, healthcare, sports, tourism, social protection of the population. There is something to learn from us, and it is useful to adopt the experience of our Crimean colleagues. Special attention was paid to economic development and logistics. It is quite complex, but we would like to develop both rail and road transport, which will facilitate the delivery of our goods. It is important that we complement each other in terms of the development of the industrial sector, – noted Anzhelika Nikitina.
There was discussion about closer cooperation within the framework of free economic zones. There are plans to develop cooperation between industrial sites in various sectors, particularly in mechanical engineering, petrochemicals, and light industry. As is known, the latter accounts for 25% of the entire industry of the country in the Vitebsk region.
– We are ready to share all of this with our friends. The issue of creating a joint business council, which would coordinate the work of businesses and entrepreneurs, is currently being worked out, – said Anzhelika Nikitina.
Her Russian counterpart in the working group, Vice-Premier of the Government of the Republic of Crimea Georgy Muradov, emphasized that the main thing is the desire to work together.