Vitebsk Region and Peterhof Strengthen Cooperation: Partnership Agreement Signed
What unites the Vitebsk region and Peterhof – this was discussed at a meeting between the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, and the Head of the Administration of the Petrodvortsovy District of St. Petersburg, Alexander Yakushev. The agenda included issues of mutual cooperation.
The visit of the Russian delegation took place within the framework of the St. Petersburg Days in Minsk, timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of partnership relations between the cities and a meeting between the Governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Beglov, and the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.
As Alexander Subbotin noted, the city on the Neva is a strategic direction for the development of cooperation for the Vitebsk region, primarily in the real sector of the economy.
We are increasing our foreign trade contacts. Based on the results of last year, we reached a joint trade turnover of 137 million dollars. Enterprises of the Vitebsk region supply dairy products, televisions, polyethylene, fiberglass, cables, linen fabrics, footwear, medical devices, and other goods to St. Petersburg," noted Alexander Subbotin.
The head of the region focused on cooperation and the implementation of joint projects, including within the framework of the Union State. The Petrodvortsovy District hosts a number of unique industrial enterprises, including a watch factory, a metalworking plant, the Mashrybprom plant, a poultry farm, and a subsidiary of BSH Hausgeräte producing refrigerators and washing machines.
For its part, the Vitebsk region is distinguished from other regions of Belarus by the greatest diversity in industrial production. It includes petrochemicals, woodworking, machine tool manufacturing, textile and footwear industries, and other sectors, as well as a developed agro-industrial complex.
Therefore, Alexander Subbotin emphasized, partnership with St. Petersburg, and in particular with the Petrodvortsovy District, is a crucial component for us in creating a joint competitive product. It is important that our neighbors have a port, which will facilitate the promotion of products from Vitebsk region enterprises to cities in Russia and other countries.
– The city of Peterhof, which is part of the Petrodvortsovy District, has been granted the status of a science city of Russia. The Vitebsk region also possesses high research potential, focused on applied research in the fields of biotechnology and biosecurity, agriculture, and the textile and footwear industries. We are ready to discuss cooperation prospects in these areas, – explained Alexander Subbotin, adding that, like our neighbors, the Vitebsk region has a rich historical and cultural heritage and great tourism potential.
Alexander Yakushev is convinced that the Petrodvortsovy District also has something to offer. In addition to cooperation in the socio-economic sphere, these are projects in the field of tourism. The main attractions of the district are the palace and park ensembles of Peterhof, Oranienbaum, and the Konstantinovsky Palace.