On November 29, Grodno /Elena Stasyukevich - BELTA/. Vinnytsia Oblast of Ukraine is interested in establishing joint ventures with Belarus in the field of agricultural machinery manufacturing. This was announced today at a meeting with the leadership of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee by Ivan Movchan, First Deputy Chairman of the Vinnytsia Oblast State Administration, as reported by BELTA correspondent. A representative delegation from Vinnytsia Oblast of Ukraine (comprising about 80 people) arrived in Grodno Oblast for a 4-day visit. The region is being visited by the oblast leadership, representatives from 27 districts, and leading agricultural organizations. The main purpose of the visit is to discuss the current state and prospects of cooperation between the regions of the two countries in the sphere of agricultural production, the development of agricultural machinery manufacturing, and the expansion of interregional relations in general. According to Ivan Movchan, the Ukrainian region is interested in implementing specific projects. Among these is the creation of joint ventures in the field of agricultural machinery manufacturing. In recent years, Vinnytsia Oblast has been actively increasing its agricultural production rates. Annually, enterprises in the region spend about $50 million on updating their agricultural machinery fleet. The Ukrainian side is familiar with the products of Grodno manufacturers in this sector and is satisfied with their quality. The region is interested in purchasing ploughs and harrows – various trailed implements for agricultural machinery. A proposal was also received to establish a joint venture for the production of such products in the Ukrainian region, where several vacant premises of former machine-building enterprises are ready to be offered for this purpose. The meeting also discussed the establishment of long-term cooperation in the supply of protein raw materials (soybeans, sunflower meal, cake) from Ukraine to Grodno Oblast. Semyon Shapiro, Governor of Grodno Oblast, noted that the region hosts modern enterprises for the production of vegetable oil, with capacities that are 50% free (approximately 200 thousand tons per year). The Ukrainian side expressed interest in the proposal to organize the supply of raw materials to Belarus for processing, with subsequent sale of oil to EU countries. Representatives of the Ukrainian delegation were also interested in the experience of Grodno manufacturers and processors of dairy products, issues related to the operation of self-governing bodies, and experience in improving order in small towns.