VITEBSK, 21 July (BelTA) – The regional cooperation should become a priority in developing the Czech-Belarusian cooperation, First Deputy Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Tomas Pojar said during his meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Vladimir Novatski on 21 July. ‘The regional ties are concrete ties”, Tomas Pojar underscored. They promote the growth in business activity, development of the cultural cooperation. According to the First Deputy Foreign Minister, Czech businessmen show their interest in joint industrial projects. The Czech capital may also show its interest in privatization of Belarusian companies. On 21 July, a delegation of the Czech Foreign Ministry is in the Vitebsk oblast on a visit. During the meeting, the sides discussed the possibilities of the regional cooperation and attraction of Czech investments in the economy of the region. The Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee would like to restore the supplies of wood materials, linen, glass fabric and optical devices to the Czech market. The authorities of the Belarusian region proposed the trade office of the Czech Embassy in Belarus to organize an exchange in the information about export-import possibilities and demands of Vitebsk oblast’s companies, organize a visit of Czech businessmen to get familiar with the industrial potential of the Vitebsk region. In January-May 2009, the trade between the Vitebsk oblast and the Czech Republic made up more than $5 million, up 60% as against the same period last year. The export reached $417,000, import - $4.8 million. Around 60% of the Czech export to the region is the equipment for Naftan’s modernization programme. The company with Czech capital Fortex-Water Technologies has been operating in the Vitebsk oblast for more than 10 years. It produces iron elimination and water treatment plants.

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