ZHITOMIR, 4 October (BelTA) – There is every opportunity for Belarus and Ukraine to enter third-country markets with joint products, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a plenary session of the 2nd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine on 4 October, BelTA has learned.
According to the Ukrainian leader, there is a big potential in improving the manufacturing sector to enter third markets jointly. This will be promoted by changes in Ukraine that will be positively assessed by the business community, creditors and investors. “I invite Belarusian investors to cooperation,” Volodymyr Zelensky said and expressed confidence that this cooperation would be successful and progressive.
The Ukrainian president named the fuel and energy sector, infrastructure and transport projects, industry and the agro-industrial complex among priorities for bilateral cooperation.
According to Volodymyr Zelensky, Belarus is a key trading partner for Ukraine. In 2018, the bilateral trade reached $5.5 billion. He added that these figures could be considerably higher, and this is a task for the intergovernmental commission. The Ukrainian part of the commission will be renewed in the near future.
The Ukrainian leader also mentioned tourism. “We are always happy to see Belarusians in Ukraine. Many Ukrainians will be interested in getting familiar with Belarusian cities, their architectural monuments. I believe that the forum will promote good relations in the area,” he said.
The forum of regions strengthens partnerships between the countries in all the areas at the level of the two capitals, regions, and companies, Volodymyr Zelensky said. The Ukrainian leader believes that such an event should be held on a regular basis. Such a level of cooperation is a pillar of the relationship between the two countries. A proof to this is $540 million worth of agreements that were signed at the forum in Zhitomir.
