Vitebsk sums up preparations for the XI Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia

The results of the preparations for the XI Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia were summarised at a briefing held at the Vitebsk Region Media Centre.

A week remains until the grand opening of the large-scale event, which is the perfect time to synchronise watches and hear the latest and most reliable information first-hand.

And who better than the leadership of the region and cities where the forum will take place to know how we will welcome guests, what the business meeting of the regions of the two friendly countries will be filled with, and what effect we expect from it.

– We have already achieved at least what we expected from the forum. First and foremost, the residents of the region have become more active, making a significant contribution to the improvement of our cities. Much has been done, and it will remain for the people. This is already an achievement. In addition, the forum will attract a large number of guests, business partners, and tourists to our region, who will see the beauty of the Vitebsk region and want to return here, propose interesting projects, and relax. All this will allow us to elevate the region to a higher orbit, – noted the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin.

The head of the region spoke about the main facilities that have acquired a new look. These are primarily the venues where the main events of the forum will take place – the Vitebsk Concert Hall, the Summer Amphitheatre Cultural and Sports Complex, and the Officers' House in Polotsk. Major reconstruction has been carried out at the Vitebsk Hotel and on Victory Square, which is a landmark place, especially during the days when the regional centre will celebrate the 80th anniversary of liberation from the Nazi invaders.

During the preparation for the forum, about 400 commercial contracts have already been concluded. The export volume for the past months of the current year amounted to over 59 billion Russian roubles and more than 338 thousand dollars. This work will continue during the event days. Additionally, 14 cooperation documents are being processed for signing, including between the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee and the administration of the Volgograd Region, and with the governments of the Nizhny Novgorod and Orenburg Regions.

– I would like to express gratitude not only to the builders but also to all residents of the Vitebsk region who participated in tidying up their settlements and streets. Through our joint efforts, we have done everything to make our region more beautiful. Today, we can be proud of the results of our work. We will continue at this pace. Not for guests or demonstrative shows, but for ourselves. After all, all the facilities prepared for the forum will become points of attraction for tourists, investors, and organizers of important events of any level, – explained the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Dmitry Demidov.

The head of the region's parliamentary corps added that the forum will facilitate the establishment of close humanitarian, friendly, and economic ties. This is very important in the current conditions. The Russian market is key for Belarus. It is necessary to establish long-term cooperative relationships.

Plans include the signing of cooperation agreements by the Regional Council of Deputies with the legislative assemblies of Sverdlovsk Oblast, Kemerovo Oblast, Karelia, and the Moscow City Duma.

– The Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia is the most important political event of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, – emphasized Dmitry Demidov.

The Chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, Gennady Sabinich, elaborated on the festive events of Vitebsk City Day, which, in this anniversary year for the regional center, will begin the day before the forum's opening and extend for almost a week.

The readiness to host the forum participants was reported by the Chairman of the Polotsk District Executive Committee, Igor Markovitch, and the Mayor of Novopolotsk, Igor Burmistrov.

vitebsk-region.gov.by