Belarus’ Gomel Oblast sign $7.5m contracts with Uzbek counterparts

GOMEL, 27 March (BelTA) - Gomel Oblast signed contracts worth $7.5 million with partners in Uzbekistan, Chairman of the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee Ivan Krupko told the media as he summed up the results of the visit to Uzbekistan on 23-26 March, BelTA has learned.

The program of the visit was extremely packed: official meetings with heads of regions, ministries, and agencies. The agenda for each day focused on key areas of cooperation in the economic and humanitarian avenues.

Following the negotiations, the agreements on cooperation between regions and between the chambers of commerce were signed. Gomel Oblast presented its trade, economic, and cultural potential at two business forums, and a goods exhibition.

Dozens of representatives of Uzbek business expressed interest in procuring Belarusian products. “Thirteen commercial contracts worth $7.5 million were concluded, building on the preliminary agreements of $5.7 million after the volumes were finalized and proposals reviewed,” the governor emphasized. According to him, the possibility of supplying calcined soda for Gomelsteklo was also in the works.

There is also interest in implementing projects in agriculture. As Ivan Krupko noted, potential partners demonstrated a serious commitment to work and expressed a willingness to invest.

The results of the business visit were also praised by Oksana Drinevskaya, Director General of Gomel Meat and Dairy Company. “We signed contracts for the supply of meat and dairy products. There are agreements for direct supplies of sausage products from Kalinkovichi Meat Processing Plant. Overall, we are actively working with partners from Uzbekistan and strengthening our foothold. Over the past two years, we have delivered $9 million worth of products. In 2005 we added 50%," she said, noting the readiness to consider joint projects with Uzbek partners on the territory of Belarus.