Kiev hosts Belarusian-Ukrainian Business Forum

21 июля 2017

By Alexey Adashkin: Together with the talks of the leaders of the two countries in Kiev, the business circles exchanged contacts and signed contracts at the Business Forum of the two countries. Businessmen have concluded about 20 deals worth almost 50 million dollars.

In the territories of the two countries, there are 13 joint assembly plants. 7 of them are in Ukraine. In total, more than 5,000 companies and enterprises are engaged in the import-export between Minsk and Kiev. Top managers of the largest companies gathered this morning at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss further cooperation and trade deals.

Paramjit Kahlon, the CEO of the Public Joint Stock Company ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih:

"We have been buying BelAZ equipment for several years. We believe that this is a very reliable enterprise, with efficient production. Given this, we are committed to further cooperation. In Ukraine, we are one of the largest mining companies. And we need a lot of quarry trucks. And BelAZ helps us to develop our mines and improve our equipment. It is win-win for both sides."

The number of participants in this business congress was impressive. Almost half a thousand entrepreneurs and industrialists from both countries gathered at the forum. The conversation mainly focused on how to build up a joint economy. The commodity turnover is on the rise, but it still has not reached that of the old times.

Vladimir Ulakhovich, the Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

"An unprecedented number of businessmen take part in the forum. It is important that this event takes place within the framework of the visit of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to Ukraine. This is a serious message for the business communities of the two countries. Despite all the difficulties and fears, our work must continue. We have a common success story, as well as a great common future – both for the countries and for their businesses."

A record number of contracts were signed by the forum participants today nearly 20 documents worth more than $45 million. The long-term effect that these documents will have on the economies of the two countries is expected to be valuable.

The largest agreements are on supplies of Belarusian fertilizers. The agriculture sector in Ukraine is growing – only last year, it increased by 6%.

Belarusian technologies in the oil and gas sector are great interest among Ukrainian companies, too. In particular, Belorusneft will 4 four gas wells in Poltava Region. The enterprise from our country always wins tenders for such services with confidence.

Taking advantage of the moment, during the coffee break, we go into the office to the Chairman of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Gennady Chizhikov can be called a real lobbyist of our interests. He is half Belarusian. His father is originally from Vitebsk Region, and he worked all his life in Donbass. Today, Gennady Chizhikov heads the association of businessmen, which counts with 8,000 people. Therefore, he is well aware of how Ukrainian entrepreneurs look at Belarus, and how geopolitics can accelerate the mutual economy.

MAZ trucks are in demand in Ukraine today. Our auto giant is planning to take up a quarter of the entire market of this country. Already this year, shipments will double. A joint assembly production is already working in Brovary, near Kiev.

MAZ buses are gradually conquering Ukrainian cities, too. In Kiev alone, more than 300 such yellow passenger cars are used. Just a month ago, Minsk Automobile Plant won a tender for the delivery of another 100 buses to the city on the Dnieper.

At the same time, practically all Belarusian machinery works in Ukraine on Belarusian oil. After all, oil from our country takes more than half of the market of our southern neighbour.

Belarusian oilmen began to open their own gas stations in Ukraine. One of them is on the way from Kiev to the international airport Borispol. All the high-ranking guests of the Ukrainian capital see it. President Alexander Lukashenko could see it today, too. At the gas station, there is a store and a restaurant of Belarusian cuisine with a Ukrainian name Syabry. Eight kinds of draniki – potato pancakes – are on the menu.

Every day, about 15,000 liters of fuel is sold here. So far, there are 4 Belarusian filling stations in Ukraine. But the network is expected to expand significantly.

Today, one can buy any Belarusian products on the Ukrainian – from textiles to BelAZ. The quality of goods from our country has long been a symbol of reliability, which is probably why Belarus is perceived here in a special way. According to public opinion polls, more than 80% of Ukrainians are positive about us. And having earned such a reputation, it is now easier for us to turn sympathies into mutually beneficial projects.