GRODNO, 28 January (BelTA) - Grodno Oblast of Belarus will continue to implement mutually beneficial cooperation with Polish regions in various areas: from production and logistics to culture and tourism, Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Kravtsov said as he met with Ambassador of Poland to Belarus Artur Michalski, BelTA has learned.
Poland is the region's largest partner after Russia in terms of export and trade. Positive growth trend remains in place. “Last year, the trade posted a 10% increase. The export of goods from the region to Poland surged by a quarter. Today we see that the potential is far from being exhausted. It is important to create conditions for further development of cooperation,” the governor said. Much consideration is given to the development of transport infrastructure. The parties are implementing the projects to renovate the border crossing point Bruzgi on the Belarusian-Polish border, to set up a cross-border logistics center near the crossing point Berestovitsa. Several investment projects are underway in railway logistics. The parties are exploring the options to develop passenger transport, particularly rail and air transport.
The parties also discussed the establishment of a new international road border crossing on the Belarusian-Polish border. Perhaps, it will be set up in the vicinity of Sofievo and Lipchany to connect Grodno and Augustow Canal by a direct route.
“Grodno Oblast is opening up to Poles. The visa free travel program has contributed to this. It is not only tourists who come to visit here. These are also businessmen. The level of trust is growing, and consequently, more joint projects are conceived at different levels,” the ambassador said. He, by the way, brought a specific proposal to Grodno. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Czeslaw Niemen, a famous Polish singer, arranger and composer. The musician was born in the village of Starye Vasilishki in Shchuchin District. The Polish side suggests renovating the house-museum of Czeslaw Niemen in his hometown. The initiative has been supported by Grodno Oblast. There is also proposal to install a monument to the musician in Grodno or Starye Vasilishki. This, according to the Ambassador, will help attract more tourists to the region.
The parties are also working on tourist routes dedicated to the art of the writer Eliza Orzeszkowa. The parties also plan to continue the projects to develop the cycling infrastructure around Augustow Canal and integrate the cycling routes on the Belarusian part into the international cycling network.
Issues of cooperation in the field of education and culture were also raised during the meeting.
