These days Ufa is hosting the International Business Week. The event implied session  Allied States: Prospects of Joint Economic Development Programs.

Rustam Muratov, the Acting First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan - Minister of Economic Development and Investment Policy of the Republic of Bashkortostan in his speech emphasized the importance of long-term cooperation between Bashkortostan and Belarus, which has lasted for 25 years. He noted that the Republic of Belarus is one of the main strategic partners in different fields, such as economy, social issues and culture. Belarus supplies chemical industry products, metals and products. The allied state buys mechanical engineering products, food and chemical industry products. The parties approved the Program of Long-Term Interaction between Bashkortostan and Belarus. It consolidates all the activities in the key areas of cooperation. The program includes more than 50 joint projects between the enterprises of the two republics.

- “In the context of rapid changes in the world arena, economic pressure and new challenges, we see new unique opportunities for enhancing our,” emphasized the head of the agency. - Here we have already successfully tested advanced tools for allied projects. We closely work with the Belarusian holding Amkodor. Together we built a plant manufacturing equipment for post-harvest grain processing with a total area of more than 24 thousand square meters was built. The facility was erected last year and took only 9 months to meet the individual requirements of the investor. Amkodor became the largest manufacturer of machinery and equipment for post-harvest grain processing in the Urals region.

The speaker emphasized that in order to strengthen economic ties between Bashkortostan and Belarus, Bashkortostan is expanding ALGA special economic zone by 106 hectares to implement joint projects. Over the last two years the zone has been recognized as the most dynamically developing one in Russia in the category Import Substitution. The expansion will help create new jobs and attract investment. 

Bashkortostan is actively developing industrial cooperation with Belarus. For example, Alternativa plastic products plant and the Belarusian company Strongtrade continue to supply consumer goods, while the groups of companies ESM-Stankomontazh and BelZAN are implementing projects for the production of machine-tool equipment and automotive components.

In the field of mechanical engineering, Ufa Tram and Trolleybus Plant and Minsk Automobile Plant successfully launched joint production of trolleybuses. Over the last two years, more than 500 units of electric vehicles have been produced and supplied to various regions of Russia. This year it is planned to double the output by creating a joint venture MAZ-UTTZ, which will be located at Alga SEZ.

Bashkortostan and Belarus are also actively developing cooperation in the chemical industry, including supplies of soda ash and catalysts. It is planned increase the scope of supplies and expand production capacity to further develop bilateral trade and industrial cooperation.

The session also discussed the Bashkir-Belarusian Investment Cluster, which includes a system of support for joint projects between companies of the two republics, assistance, engineering infrastructure and logistics. Belarus admits a number of key benefits. This is the expansion of the sales market. Belarusian products will be produced closer to Russian and neighboring markets, which will help reduce logistics costs. Production in Bashkortostan will allow the products to be recognized as Russian, which will facilitate the certification process, and will create opportunities for attracting local enterprises to produce components; moreover, Belarusian manufacturer will use the capacities of the petrochemical industry. Cluster participants will be able to take advantage of tax incentives, such as exemption from property and land taxes, and profit tax reduction.

Bashkortostan also proposes establishing a Management Company to coordinate projects. This should be a specialized organization to support investors at all stages (from registration to finding partners). The program also includes the creation of the necessary infrastructure available for purchase or lease.

To ensure these benefits, a law bill is being developed and will be submitted to the State Assembly of the Republic of Bashkortostan early next year.

In his speech Yury Chebotar, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, министр emphasized the significant progress in cooperation between Bashkortostan and Belarus, noting that despite the short period of time, many positive changes have already taken place. This year, Ufa celebrates its 450th anniversary, and one of the significant events of the year was the forum held in the new modern building of the Palace of Wrestling. It symbolizes the stability of the region and its commitment to development.

The Minister reminded that on December 8, Bashkortostan and Belarus will celebrate the 25th anniversary of their alliance which has brought significant achievements for both citizens and businesses. Citizens of the countries have been able to move cross borders unimpeded and participate in educational programs without unnecessary permits, while new opportunities have been created for businesses as joint ventures and expanded cooperation.

One of the main priorities of the Ministry is the development of joint platforms for business. This purpose is achieved through electronic platforms and contract exchanges, visits to large enterprises, such as tractor and automobile plants, arranged new opportunities for cooperation.

Yury Chebotar also noted achievements in the petrochemical industry, which occupies an important place in the region's economy, and emphasized great prospects in industry, referring to the active participation of Belarusian colleagues in exhibitions. He invited all stakeholders in further cooperation to visit Bashkortostan to learn about the region's achievements and find new opportunities for joint projects.

The Minister expressed confidence in the success of the forum and further steps towards strengthening economic ties between Bashkortostan and Belarus.

Margarita Bolytcheva, Acting Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Congress Activity of the Republic of Bashkortostan stressed the importance of further cooperation with Belarus. She noted successful projects and active work to intensify ongoing initiatives.

- “Last year we held the first Bashkortostan-Belarus forum, and I am sure that next year we will organize the second forum in our region,” Bolycheva said, highlighting the role of business as the main indicator of successful interaction.

 - Business is the main indicator of our efforts. If our turnover is growing, if businesses are successful, it means that all the decisions we make are correct,” the head of the agency added.

Margarita Bolytcheva confirmed Bashkortostan's readiness to become a pilot region for new initiatives. She insists that the republic is always open to support any business projects that will benefit both Bashkortostan and Belarus.

The session included the signing of the Minutes of Intentions between the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus and the Ministry of Economic Development and Investment Policy of the Republic of Bashkortostan of the Russian Federation. It was signed by Rustam Muratov, Acting First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan - Minister of Economic Development and Investment Policy, and Yury Chebotar, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Belarus. 

FYI:

Ufa is hosting the International Business Week Forum on December 3 through 6. The Forum is traditionally organized by the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan.

The republic is rightfully viewed as a congress-rich region that attracts guests from all over the world. Ufa has become a center of international events. For two weeks in a row, it is hosting significant forums.

The International Business Week is recognized by Maria Zakharova, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, as a top-5 largest forum in Russia. This event strengthens the role of the region as a venue of business communication and cooperation. The Republic of Bashkortostan proves to be an expert ground for a meaningful dialog between the authorities and business community and strengthens its presence on the map of international business activity.

This year the Forum will be focusing on key prospects of the Republic of Bashkortostan and Russia in economy, export, innovation and investments during four field-specific days: December 3 - Entrepreneurship Day; December 4 - X All-Russian Legal Forum; December 5 - Yalta International Economic Forum; December 6 - International Business Week.

The Forum will feature an exhibition, a gastrofestival and a B2B negotiation area. There guests and participants will get to know about their colleagues' experience and extend their network. Besides, the event will hold business development and public administration awards.

Please, feel encouraged to learn more about the business and entertainment programs of the XVII International Business Week at the official web-page: https://ibw-bashkortostan.com. Learn more about the event from the chat bot https://t.me/InternationalBusinessWeekBot