VITEBSK, March 23 (BelTA) – Latvian businessmen suggest participation in projects outlined by the EU transnational cooperation programme Baltic Sea Region to Vitebsk companies, BelTA learnt from Konstantin Cherny, Deputy Chairman of the Economy Committee of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee. The proposal was voiced at the international business forum “Vitebsk oblast investment initiatives”. Forms of future cooperation are supposed to be discussed at the Latgalian investment forum in Daugavpils in April. Vitebsk oblast companies are supposed to participate in the forum. Latvian businessmen have expressed interest in cooperation in manufacturing light industry products and in woodworking. According to Konstantin Cherny, liberalisation steps taken in Belarus have met a positive response among potential investors. Many of them have revised their views on cooperation and have expressed interest in setting up competitive joint ventures in the Vitebsk oblast. Eleven countries (Belarus, Germany, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Finland, Sweden, and Estonia) participate in implementing the EU transnational cooperation programme Baltic Sea Region. The programme focuses on innovation research, contribution to the attractiveness and the competitive ability of cities and regions of the Baltic Sea. Grants can be requested by national and local authorities, research institutes and educational establishments, companies operated by local authorities, chambers of commerce and industry.

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