MOLODECHNO, 29 November (BelTA) - Twin towns of Belarus and Poland will step up economic and investment ties, Chairman of the Belarusian public organization Twinned Towns Boris Batura said at the fifth meeting of the twin cities of Belarus and Poland in Molodechno, BelTA has learned.
“Local authorities play the key role in trade, economic and business cooperation, improving the quality of life of people and cultivating good neighborliness spirit. A friendly, fraternal atmosphere among the supporters and participants of the twinning movement is important. Such meetings foster the spirit of solidarity and ensure a steady interest in cooperation. This is why we hold them every two years alternately in Belarus and Poland. Brest and Bialystok, Grodno and Baranovichi have already played host to such meetings. This time the host is the city of Molodechno,” Boris Batura noted. The head of the public organization thanked the city for cooperation ahead and during the forum and the opportunity to get acquainted with local enterprises.
He also expressed gratitude to the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee for supporting the forum and the ambassadors of Poland and Belarus for their help with organizational issues.
“Undoubtedly, economy and investment are the priorities for twin towns and we intend to step up ties in these areas. The level of inter-regional cooperation, including ties between twin towns, largely shape the overall trade between our countries,” Boris Batura noted.
He recalled that Poland is the sixth largest foreign economic partner of Belarus and the fifth biggest investor in the country's economy. “More than 80 agreements have been signed between the cities and regions of Belarus and Poland in various fields. In January-September of this year, the trade amounted to almost $2 billion, up by 4% over the same period a year earlier. In January-September, the trade in services totaled about $328.3 million. Transport and construction account for the largest share of trade in services,” Boris Batura noted.
These figures can be higher as here is the potential for this, Boris Batura added.
