Vitebsk Oblast to contribute much to China’s new Silk Road

Vitebsk Oblast will make a noticeable contribution to the implementation of the Chinese concept of the new Silk Road. The statement was made by Vitebsk Oblast Governor Nikolai Sherstnev during the meeting of the heads of the administrations of the two regions during the Belarusian-Chinese interregional business forum in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

According to Heilongjiang Province Governor Lu Hao, the concept has been in development for two years. Vitebsk Oblast recently received documents from the Chinese side on creating the trade transport corridor China-Europe. Thanks to its geographical position Belarus has a large transit potential while Vitebsk Oblast has it in abundance thanks to the available logistics and two major transport corridors. The oblast administration suggested that the Chinese partners should consider the possibility of making the transport hubs in Orsha and Vitebsk part of the concept of the new Silk Road. Nikolai Sherstnev explained that the region will make a noticeable contribution to the concept’s implementation on mutually beneficial terms.

Konstantin Cherny, Deputy Chairman of the Economy Committee of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee, explained that by exchanging documents, confirmations, substantiations, and financial calculations the region will be able to demonstrate that the investment of Chinese resources in the establishment of the transport corridor with assistance of Vitebsk enterprises will be profitable. “First of all, I would like to mention the transport hub in Orsha. It is one of the country’s largest. Then I would like to mention the development of our airports in Bolbasovo and Vitebsk. Considerable investments are needed at both sites but the Chinese need large throughput and are not going to go back on their plans. They have the money for it. Why shouldn’t we offer our participation?” Konstantin Cherny spoke in favor of getting Vitebsk Oblast involved in the project.

On the whole, Belarus’ participation in the implementation of the Chinese concept just like any other joint projects serves the purpose of advancing comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

The visit of the delegation of Heilongjiang Province government and the business circles to Belarus will continue with the visit to Vitebsk on 12 May. The guests will be made familiar with investment projects of the oblast capital and the free economic zone Vitebsk, will visit the enterprises that reside in the zone and the Vitebsk Oblast electrical company Vitebskenergo. The delegation will also go on a tour of the city, will be made familiar with cultural and historical places of interest.