800 people attended 4th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in Moscow

2 июля 2017

By Ilona Krasutskaya: The leaders of 30 Russian regions, all governors of Belarus, businessmen, and a delegation of senators attended the 4th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in Moscow. At the Expo Center, contracts worth $ 450 million were signed. The high level of the congress was also stressed by Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, who joined the discussion.

Among other topics, cooperation, integration, and innovation were discussed in the Russian capital during the two days of the forum. Negotiations took place both in conference rooms and on the exhibition site, where the latest Belarusian-Russian developments were presented. The main focus of the forum was high technologies.

Addressing the participants of the forum, Alexander Lukashenko announced his intention to turn Belarus into an IT-country in the nearest future. The head of the Belarusian state proposed specific steps for the formation of a unified scientific policy in the Union State.

At the specialized exhibition, Belarus presented 250 developments. Belarusian scientists presented their supercomputer. It is capable of performing about 10 trillion operations per second. Such a machine can be installed in any office. And now, it is helping geologists in the search for new oil and gas fields.

Belarus also presented its novelties in electric transport. Orders for the Belarusian electric bus came from the Baltic countries. Moscow will buy the first batch, too. An electric car based on the Geely sedan was also exhibited. Now, Belarusian experts are developing a battery and an engine for it.

Also, among the products of the Belarusian machine-building classics were harvesters Polesie, and innovative models from MTZ and BelAZ.

Equally serious were the political dividends of the 4th Forum. Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin discussed integration and cooperation with its participants.

In Moscow, the Belarusian President stressed that comprehensive cooperation with Russia will always be a priority for Belarus. In addition, Alexander Lukashenko proposed specific steps to form not only a single industrial, but also a scientific policy in the Union State that is turning into an IT country.

Belarus provided substantial tax benefits to the residents of the Belarus Hi-Tech Park, which allowed the IT industry to grow over the past 10 years. A new leap in development can be given by a system that will stimulate the creation of its own high-tech products. But legislative changes are necessary. The President promised to initiate them in the nearest future. This is a breakthrough decree, which changes significantly the working conditions for IT companies.

Today, Belarus has close ties with 80 regions of Russia. Moscow, Smolensk and Tyumen regions, as well as the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg are the top five. Over the past year, the supply of direct Russian investments increased by 8% and amounted to 3.5 billion dollars. According to Vladimir Putin, it is possible to build a solid foundation for cooperation. Both states continue to follow the path of developing a comprehensive partnership.

Meanwhile, in the center of Moscow, a trade fair of Belarusian goods was launched. Considering the experience of the previous forum, when the produce was bought in no time, every two hours trucks brought more goods, while domestic manufacturers were demonstarting miracles of marketing. However, here it was possible not only to buy some food, but also to dress up. As a real lady, one of the most stylish women of Russian politics - Valentina Matvienko - could not resist the temptation to buy two pairs of Belarusian shoes.

The 4th Forum of Regions of the Union State is the best confirmation that all Russian regions are close to Belarus, regardless of the geographical distance. This is our common interregional cooperation. Now Belarus is preparing to host the next Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia.