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Natalya Alexandrovna, from February 2 to 26, the Vitebsk Region Days were held at the VDNKh in Moscow. Could you tell us how the potential of your region was presented to the residents and guests of the Russian capital?
The exposition of the Vitebsk region was focused on four areas, including historical heritage, culture, economy and tourism. Visitors could get acquainted with the region's tourist opportunities, see presentations of industrial and gastronomic achievements and taste the Vitebsk products. There were thematic days of the region's districts, master classes of folk arts and crafts, including performances by the best creative groups. The ultimate goal of the two-week extensive programme was to give the guests and residents of Moscow an opportunity to appreciate the unique features and attractions of the Vitebsk region, to arouse their interest and desire to visit our region in the future. I hope this will happen, expectations are high.
In addition, a landmark of the event was its business program. The Day of the Vitebsk Region at the International Exhibition-Forum "Russia" was held on February 16 with the participation of the State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin and guests from about 20 Russian regions – our sister cities and partners. The high level of participants and their interest have once againg emphasized the importance of our economic cooperation.
On that day, presentations and negotiations were held, and several inter-regional cooperation agreements were signed.
In general, an average of three thousand guests visited the Belarusian pavilion at VHNKh with the Vitebsk exposition daily. The expo was an opportunity for them to get to know our history and culture, our present-day life and potential.
What do you see as the peculiarities of the Vitebsk region for doing business? What do its enterprises specialise in? What are the advantages and, maybe, some disadvantages of the business climate of the region?
Geographical location of the Vitebsk region is always referred as an advantage and objective factor for business development. The long border with the Russian Federation, the presence of promising transport and logistics hubs together with transport communications form the economic framework of the Vitebsk region, allowing to actively develop interregional and cross-border cooperation.
The key role in the Vitebsk region's economy belongs to industry, which embraces more than 1300 enterprises, employing about 95 thousand people or more than 20 percent of the total employed population of the region. The main industrial hubs, such as Vitebsk, Novopolotsk-Polotsk, Orsha, are located on the most important transport routes (Trans-European corridors No. 2, 9; the railway Moscow – Riga – Kaliningrad, etc.). The industrial complex of the region produces over 27 percent of the GRP. The output makes up 12.5 percent of the industrial production of the republic.
The region's industrial potential is mainly formed by manufacturing industry, with its important branches being oil refining, chemical production, machine-tool engineering, food and light industry.
The advantages of the business climate of the Vitebsk region are formed mainly due to the functioning of special preferential zones for business. There are two of them in the region: Free Economic Zone "Vitebsk" (established in 1999) and Special Economic Zone "Bremino Orsha" (has been functioning since 2019), and it should be noted that even in the current difficult conditions these are effective tools for the development of business activity of the region. The main concentration of business projects is formed there. For example, FEZ "Vitebsk" has 17 sectors, including the regional centre, in the Vitebsk, Orsha, Polotsk, Postavy, Miory and Dokshitsy districts. Over the last five years, new transformer substations and power transmission lines, railway tracks, a motor road, main water supply networks have been built and put into operation in the sectors, and more than 40 million roubles have been invested.
As far as the current problems of the business climate are concerned, I would mention the shortage of qualified labour force, which is characteristic of both the region and of the present time in general. The main branches of the Vitebsk region economy are secured by 96.4 percent. However, there is still labour shortage, mainly is the industrial sector.
Availability of human resources, availability of educational institutions specialising in the training of experts in various industries is a particularly important parameter for doing business. As far as the region understands it, its enterprises are constantly engaged in the process of interaction with higher and secondary education institutions to train personnel in the required specialities, but it is important to continue to further readjust this process in order to effectively develop the economy.
What kind of assistance does the Vitebsk Branch of the BelCCI provide to businesses in the region? What services, as you see, are unique in the Chamber system? What do you see most demanded by the Vitebsk enterprises?
In June 2023, the Vitebsk Branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Industry celebrated its 60th anniversary. As it has always been before, we develop all the traditional directions, such as assessment, diverse expertise, certification, support of foreign economic activity. In other directions we are guided by the interests, needs and demands of the Chamber members, because the natural processes of the development of technologies, world markets, vectors of international cooperation require businesses to form new activity areas, and this process is highly dynamic. At the same time, the importance and opportunities of the Chamber are growing, our membership base is expanding, we have new partners, and existing ties are being strengthened and developed.
Over the last three years, we had a kind of a unique experience in the Branch's services development. In 2021, we launched the 24/7-format expert examination of quantity and quality of timber at the two largest woodworking enterprises of the Vitebsk region. The introduction of this service was objectively dictated by the desire of the region's enterprises to solve the acute problem of control over the quality and quantity of the timber supplied, to avoid disputable and large-scale claim work.
It is rather difficult to single out one direction as the most demanded: the specificity of services, demand for them are connected with different periods of economic development, export potential of the region, the implementation of state support measures for business in the form of preferences, favourable regimes. In such periods, particularly demanded are services of expert examination preceding the certification of the product origin, confirmation of own production of products, works, services, certification of industrial products for the companies to be included into the Register of Industrial Products of the Republic of Belarus and participate in leasing programs, public procurement with preferential amendment, to be exempt from recycling fee. Taking into account the export orientation of the majority of enterprises, their implementation of modern investment projects, the translation of documents of different topics and level of complexity is often required: from translation of technical documentation for equipment to interpretation support of its adjustment and start-up with the participation of suppliers' technical service representatives. Both organizations and individuals actively apply for the services of the assessment of civil rights objects.
In turn, we work particularly closely with the Chamber members, building our interaction on the following principle: should you contact us with any problematic issue, you will always receive help and advice on how to move forward in its solution.
What are the plans of the Branch for 2024? Are there new projects and initiatives to support entrepreneurs to be implemented?
This year, we plan to develop direct interaction between Belarusian businesses and foreign partners by organizing business missions; we will focus on expanding business cooperation of Belarusian manufacturers with partners from the African continent and South-East Asia for comprehensive exchange of experience, the establishment of new contacts and discussion of cooperation prospects. Thus, in May we expect to receive a business delegation from the Republic of Zimbabwe, and a visit to China is scheduled for the first half of the year. In addition, we plan to intensify our work on organizing business training programs. In today's world, it is important to stay up to date with changes, so we hope that this service will also be demanded.
Last year, the Vitebsk region hosted the anniversary Commercial Counselor Day. Two more large-scale events are supposed to demonstrate the region's potential this year: the International Economic Forum in Orsha and, of course, the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia. What can you say about these events today? How is the preparation going, what is planned to surprise the participants and guests?
The International Economic Forum in Orsha has already become a traditional annual business event, which is recognized by many long-standing partners, region's sister-cities and friends, who come there every year with high interest. The name of the national universal exhibition-fair that accompanies the forum – "Orsha Traditions" – speaks for itself. These events make a successful example of the many years of joint work of the Vitebsk Branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Orsha District Executive Committee.
The International Economic Forum "Innovations. Investments. Prospects" is another important annual regional event, which is held in Vitebsk to demonstrate the potential and attractiveness of the region, to find new prospects for growth, develop partnerships. The organisers are the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, the Vitebsk City Executive Committee together with the Vitebsk Branch of the BelCCI and our colleagues from the Free Economic Zone and the Marketing Centre.
The 11th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia is seen as a major large-scale event for the Vitebsk region and a landmark event for the city of Vitebsk, as it will be held on its 1050th anniversary. The theme of the Forum – "The Role of Interregional Cooperation in Building an Innovative Economy of the Union State" – has already been determined, and preparatory work is underway to form a program of events and organize convenient venues for them in Vitebsk, Polotsk and Novopolotsk.
The purpose of the Forum is to sum up the annual results of cooperation with the regions of the Russian Federation, to set new goals and objectives, to define new vectors of cooperation development for the next year. I am confident that this year's Forum will also be a relevant and strong centre of attraction, an effective business platform for strengthening and developing interregional ties and cooperation, for business meetings, new agreements and contracts, making a tangible contribution to the development of the Union State's potential and the diplomacy of regional twinning.
The "Slavianski Kaleidoskop" fair is one of the region's landmarks, together with the Slavianski Bazaar it is timed to. Last year, the Vitebsk Branch of the BelCCI initiated an early collection of applications for participation in this event. How actively have the region's businesses used it? Are there any other innovations planned for this year's event?
I can proudly say that the International Universal Fair "Slavianski Kaleidoskop" is a really renowned and expected event. This year will mark the fair's 25th anniversary. It has its own history of development, and the way one of the largest open fair expositions looks now is the result of the common efforts of the Branch and our participants who trust the quality of our services and strive to evolve together with us.
In January only, we have already received more than 50 preliminary applications from potential exhibitors, and the fair events are sceduled from July 9 to 15. Last year, we conducted a survey of visitors, and four best exhibitors were awarded diplomas and received invitations to participate in the exposition in 2024 without preliminary competitive selection, which is the necessary procedure for those who apply for participation. The Vitebsk Branch of the BelCCI plans to make such an advantage for the most memorable participants a good tradition. Every year we try to surprise the guests and residents of the festival Vitebsk. The jubilee year for the "Slavianski Kaleidoskop" will not be an exception: we will focus on the exposition design, new photo zones, interesting events for the fair visitors.
We are preparing with excitement and great anticipation; as always, we want to become the centre of attraction for numerous visitors, to give a variety of positive emotions and to be remembered. For us, the fair opening is always a great joyful event which brings new acquaintances.