Orsha to host international economic forum on 28 April-1 May

The 9th edition of the International Economic Forum and the 10th edition of the national universal trade fair “Traditions of Orsha” will be running in Orsha from 28 April to 1 May, BelTA learned from Galina Svitina, the head of the economy department of the Orsha District Executive Committee.

The economic forum will bring together around 100 participants. On the first day of the forum, representatives of Orsha and its twin towns Qingdao and Yiwu (China), Gagarin, Vyazma, Tver, and Ivanovo (Russia) will meet online to discuss ways to advance economic cooperation and talk about opportunities for foreign companies in their cities and countries. There are plans to sign a memorandum of cooperation between the pilot zone of regional trade and economic cooperation China-SCO and the Belarusian company Bremino-Group. A Confucius center of the National Confucius Institute of Sinology at Belarusian State University will open at Secondary School No.16 of Orsha with assistance from Chinese partners.

The second day of the economic forum will focus on small business. The program will include online and offline seminars, panel discussions, and presentations to discuss support to small business at the local and government level, digitization of the agricultural sector, and small business development in the countryside. The organizers of the forum will speak about projects running in Orsha District within the framework of the UNDP programs. There are four such projects, two of which are aimed at improving living standards of people with disabilities. The program of the second day will feature the Youth Entrepreneurship Support Center and the FabLab workshop.

The third day of the forum will be centered around retirement benefits. During an online discussion, foreign experts from Italy and Russia will speak about social protection of the elderly in their countries. Representatives of the local social services center that actively works with people with disabilities and the elderly will present humanitarian projects that are carried out in Orsha District.

A job fair will be running during the entire forum. School and college students will learn more about universities and vocational education institutions of Belarus. Representatives of educational institutions will advertise subjects that young people can major in and inform them about the terms and dates of this year's admission campaign.

The national universal trade fair “Traditions of Orsha” will demonstrate a wide range of Belarusian and foreign products. Representatives of companies from Orsha's twin towns will promote their food and non-food products. For example, Russia's Smolensk traditionally brings various kinds of fish to Orsha. The fair will showcase apparel made in Belarus and in Russia. Visitors to the event will also be able to buy Easter goods.

The forum will wrap up on 1 May. Participants will be presented with diplomas.

The events have been organized by the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Orsha District Executive Committee. The opening ceremony will take place in the Ice Arena at 10:00 on 28 April.

BelTA