GOMEL, 19 May (BelTA) - Gomel Oblast and the Russian city of St. Petersburg are set to develop cooperation in construction and product supplies. The matter was discussed at the 23rd international exhibition “Spring in Gomel” which is running from 19 to 27 May, BelTA has learned.
Before the opening of the exhibition, a delegation from St. Petersburg visited a number of Gomel enterprises, including Gomelstroymaterialy. “The products made by Gomelstroymaterialy, namely wall panels and insulation materials, will be of interest to our city,” Evgeny Matrosov, Deputy Head of St. Petersburg's Krasnogvardeyski District Administration, said.
According to him, the areas for mutual cooperation include building materials and construction, including of social facilities. “We have already gained some experience [of work] with Belarusian specialists who are involved in designing and building a social facility in Krasnogvardeyski District - a school for 825 students. We would like to strengthen this cooperation,” the deputy head said.
The Russian delegation is also expected to visit enterprises related to the textile industry and communal services.
Irina Rogova, president of the Fund for the Promotion of Russian-Belarusian Cooperation Belye Rosy, commercial director of Riviera Holding Company and the Belorusski Dvorik retail chain, said that there are 135 Belorusski Dvorik stores in St. Petersburg with an assortment of goods produced in Grodno, Brest and Gomel. According to her, customers from the Russian northern capital are fond of Belarusian food products. “We are interested in almost everything that concerns the food industry. There are dairy products, confectionery, lemonades, beer and water in the Belarusian stores. Meat delicacies take a major part. Dried meat products are very popular. If we talk about meat products, we take 40 tonnes of assortment per week,” she said.
Speaking about new areas of cooperation, she noted that the company is interested in beef deliveries from Belarus.
Irina Rogova added that the Fund for the Promotion of Russian-Belarusian Cooperation also holds exhibitions and trade fairs which are a good place to present a wide range of Belarusian products. In her words, products of light industry are popular at such trade fairs. Belarusian health resorts are also in demand, therefore Belarusian health resorts, including those in Gomel Oblast, need be more proactive in advertising themselves, the head of the fund said.
The 23rd international exhibition “Spring in Gomel” is running through 19-27 May. It is attended by representatives from Belarus and 14 other countries. The 8th festival of craftsmen Gomel Spring will be held on 20-22 May. According to the organizers, the list includes more than 110 participants. This year the festival acquires international status. Apart from Belarusian artisans it will feature representatives from Vietnam and Russia's Mari El.
The forum is organized by the Gomel branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee.
