ZHITOMIR, 3 October (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in expanding cooperation with Ukraine in industry and agriculture, Belarusian Vice Premier Igor Lyashenko said at an official meeting of heads of regional administrations of Ukraine and Belarus with the head of the Zhitomir Oblast State Administration on 3 October, BelTA has learned.
The vice premier noted that the 2nd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine is a high profile event that will be attended by the heads of state.
“It is a unique dialogue platform. The forum has proved efficient. We welcome stronger interregional economic ties and meaningful horizontal contacts. Ukraine remains an important economic and trading partner for Belarus in various areas of mutual interest. We complement each other in the industrial sector, agriculture; we have common interests in transportation and logistics,” Igor Lyashenko said.
Over the past three years, bilateral cooperation expanded 1.5 times to reach $5.5 billion in 2018. “The potential of our economic cooperation is far from being exhausted. We are determined to keep building ties in the manufacturing sector and agriculture,” Igor Lyashenko emphasized.
The vice premier welcomed strong trade contacts at the interregional level.
“We are ready to step up cooperation in road construction, if Ukraine is interested in it. We guarantee European quality and observance of all technologies and standards,” Igor Lyashenko said.
Belarus would like to study Ukraine's experience in decentralizing finances allocated to the regions. “We would like to take part in infrastructure projects in the regions. We badly need your advance and guidance along this way. We are ready for a meaningful discussion of cooperation prospects with our Ukrainian partners,” the vice premier said.
