VERONA, 29 October (BelTA) - On the sidelines of the 14th Eurasian Economic Forum held in Verona, Italy, representatives of European countries ask the Belarusian delegation how Belarus manages to do without lockdowns amid the pandemic, Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Ulakhovich told BelTA as he commented on his participation in the authoritative international event.
"On the sidelines of the forum, its participants inquired us (no direct object) about Belarus' COVID response strategy, how the country manages to get through the pandemic without lockdowns, without stopping the economic life while posting growth in GDP and foreign trade, and lowering budget deficit," Vladimir Ulakhovich said.
According to him, in general, the Verona forum has illustrated serious changes in international economic relations. "We see new, pragmatic, reasonable approaches emerging," Vladimir Ulakhovich noted. “We see interest in the Eurasian union, which is growing step by step, calmly and steadily. The EAEU is interesting as a very serious, big partner, both in terms of market capacity and in terms of the huge resources and potential of our five countries. Belarus is a special industrial cluster. We are not only a logistics and transport hub but also the industrial heart of the Eurasian Economic Union. Many see the role of Belarus in a new light today. We have seen it and felt it. "
Vladimir Ulakhovich recalled that an agreement to set up the Belarusian-Italian Business Council was signed between the BelCCI and Banca Intesa and the Conoscere Eurasia Association, the organizers of the Verona forum. According to him, Belarusian business intends to use the Verona platform for networking. "I think that we will implement this idea soon," the head of the BelCCI said. “Interest in Belarus is growing. I think it will translate into practical things."
Vladimir Ulakhovich also drew attention to the fact that at the current forum in Verona, many speakers opined on the topic of sanctions. "Regarding sanctions, you have probably heard what our European partners and prominent people, heads of the largest companies and state institutions have said: sanctions do not benefit anyone at all and should be discarded and forgotten as a tool," he stressed.
The 14th Eurasian Economic Forum is running in Verona, Italy on 28-29 October and has brought together prominent politicians businessmen and public figures from many countries of Europe and Asia. Participants are discussing a wide range of practical topical issues in economy and finance, healthcare, environment, energy and technological innovations in the greater Eurasia space, united this year by the theme: “Eurasia on its Path to a New Geopolitical, Social, and Economic Order: Transition to a New, Human-Centered Economy”.
The forum has opened with the special session “Structural Changes in the Economy and the Future of Energy”. The first day of the program will be devoted to energy transition, circular economy and the green economy. The second day will feature discussions on the impact of the pandemic on the banking and financial sector, technological innovation and the digital transition, and also the role of the pharmaceutical industry in the modern economy and debates on overcoming the neoliberal model.
The Eurasian Economic Forum in Verona has been organized by the Conoscere Eurasia Association, the Roscongress Foundation and St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
