Vitebsk, Smolensk oblasts implement joint projects in construction, energy and agriculture

A plan of joint events on trade and economic, sci-tech and humanitarian-cultural cooperation between the Vitebsk and Smolensk oblasts for 2008 was signed by Vladimir Andreichenko, the Chairman of the Vitebsk oblast executive committee, and Sergei Antufiyev, the Governor of the Smolensk oblast, on May 23. The Smolensk oblast is an old partner of the Vitebsk oblast and a place for advancing the products of Vitebsk producers to the other regions of Russia. The plan of joint events will help strengthen the economic potential of the two neighbouring regions and improve the living standard of its residents, Vladimir Andreichenko said at a signing ceremony. In Q1 2008, the exports of Vitebsk companies to the Smolensk oblast grew 21% as against the same period of 2007. Governor of the Smolensk oblast Sergei Antufiyev has noted that the contacts between the Belarusian and Russian oblasts are lucrative for the two sides. The Smolensk oblast got familiar with the activity of the Liozno region of the Vitebsk oblast and is ready to take the advanced technologies over. The plan of joint events has been worked out in line with the agreement on cooperation between the Vitebsk and Smolensk oblasts signed in February 2008. The document provides the organization of more than 100 joint events, including signing of an agreement on cooperation between the regions of the Vitebsk and Smolensk oblasts, creation of joint ventures, a commodity distribution network, increase of mutual supplies. The Vitebsk companies will supply the Russian region with the construction equipment for a deferrization station for one of the Smolensk districts, over 13 million bricks for construction in the neighbouring region. The energy sector envisages construction of an automated heating boiler with the appliance of technologies and aggregates of the Vitebsk unitary municipal production company of boilers and heat networks. Agricultural companies will continue the joint development and testing of cultivation technologies.