Innovations. Investments. Prospects. VII International Economic Forum ”Innovations. Investments. Prospects”, 17-18th of May 2018, . In accordance with the Order issued by the chairman of Vitebsk regional executive committee № 105p dated 11.04.2018 VII International Economic Forum ”Innovations. Investments. Prospects” took place (hereinafter the Forum) . which was held from 17th to 18th of May in Vitebsk, Frunze Avenue, 13A (Summer amphitheatre)

The organizers of the Forum were: Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Economy Committee of Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Vitebsk City Executive Committee, Communal consulting unitary enterprise “ Vitebsk Regional Marketing Centre”, state institution “Administration of Free Economic Zone Vitebsk”.

The general media partner of the Forum: Television and radio broadcasting company “ Vitebsk”

General partner: Unitary Production Enterprise “Glubokoe dairy-canning factory” Partners: Limited Liability Company “Dary Vitebshchiny”, CHPTUP “Berestadrev”. Media Partners covering the event: ONT channel (national television), 1 channel – the main TV channel of the Republic of Belarus, BELTA, Vitebsk city portal GorodVitebsk.by., regional newspaper “Vitebskiye vesti”, Vitebsk city newspaper “Vitbichi”, TV channel SKIF, newspaper “Vitebsk courier”

Vitebsk city portal GorodVitebsk.by was shooting the Forum site from a bird’s eye view by super advanced shooting equipment pilotless aerial vehicle quadcopter. Economic Forum in 2018 demonstrated the commitment of to the mutual profitable dialogue with the international society about the key economy and finances issues and also energy conservation issues. The Forum is always open for those, who give preference to the dialogue and collaboration, constructive approach and economic efficiency. In the events of International Economic Forum ”Innovations. Investments. Prospects” the following representatives of foreign countries took part: - Embassy of the Republic of Moldova to the Republic of Belarus; - Embassy of the Slovak Republic to the Republic of Belarus; - Embassy of the Republic of Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Republic of Belarus; - Embassy of the to the Republic of Belarus; - Embassy of the Republic of Tadjikistan to the Republic of Belarus; - Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Belarus; - Embassy of the State of Israel to the Republic of Belarus; - Embassy of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Belarus; - Embassy of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of ; - Consulate of the Republic of in the Republic of Belarus; - Consulate of the Republic of Belarus in ; - the Official delegation and business circles of Moscow region (Russian Federation); - the Official delegation and business circles of Moscow district of Saint- Petersburg (Russian Federation); - the Official delegation and business circles of Kaluga region (Russian Federation); - The Official delegation and business circles of Bryansk (Russian Federation); - the Official delegation and business circles of Kursk region (Russian Federation); - the Official delegation and business circles of Nizhny Novgorod region (Russian Federation); - the Official delegation and business circles of Pskov district (Russian Federation); - - the Official delegation and business circles of region (Russian Federation); - the Official delegation and business circles of Kingiseppsky District of Leningrad region (Russian Federation); - the Official delegation and business circles of Velizhsky District of Pskov region (Russian Federation); - the Official delegation of Velikiye Luki (Russian Federation); - the Official delegation and business circles of Kraslav city of Krāslava Municipality (the Republic of Latvia) - the Official delegation of Rēzekne (the Republic of Latvia) - the Official delegation of Daugavpils (the Republic of Latvia) - the Official delegation and business circles of the Republic of Lithuania (Vilnius, Panevėžys, Druskininkai ); - the Representatives of business circles of the Republic of ( Warsaw, Lodz); - the Representatives of business circles of People’s Republic of China); - The Coordinator of the project of the United Nations Development Program “Employment and self-employment promotion of the population in small towns and medium towns in the Republic of Belarus” - the Representatives of business circles of Ukraine;

The site of the Forum on the tennis courts of Summer Amphithetre

The site of the Forum on the tennis courts of Summer Amphithetre

On the 17th of May Chairman of Vitebsk Region Executive Committee Nikolaу Nikolayevich Sherstnev delivered a welcome speech on the opening ceremony and opened the Forum.

Chairman of Vitebsk Region Executive Committee Nikolaу Nikolaevich Sherstnev

The opening ceremony of VII International Economic Forum ”Innovations. Investments. Prospects”

Within the grand opening ceremony talented young scientists of Vitebsk region were awarded. Talented young scientists and specialists were conferred titles “Laureate of Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Award” with cash payment prize, which was a decision of Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee to stimulate study and research activities. Laureates were awarded by Chairman of Vitebsk Region Executive Committee Nikolaу Nikolaevich Sherstnev. The contest took place with the following sections: ”Fundamental research “, ”Applied research and developments“.

Nikolaу Nikolaevich Sherstnev and Laureates of Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Award for achievements in science

A good tradition within the Forum is awarding of Vitebsk region enterprises that distinguished themselves in different fields. For high achievements in the development of the economy sectors of Vitebsk region and investment attraction seven enterprises were awarded with Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Certificates of Honour within the grand opening ceremony: Open Joint Stock Company “ Vitebsk plant of electronic components ”Monolit”; Open Joint Stock Company ”Meat processing factory “Slavyansky” of agro-industrial holding “Slavyansky Veles”; limited liability company “Production Association Energocomplekt”; Vitebsk repair construction company ”Stroytorgservis” limited liability company; limited liability company Cargo Line”; limited liability company”NATIVITA” ; Open Joint Stock Company “Vesta”

Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Certificate of Honour Awarding of Vitebsk region enterprises

Traditionally within the Forum ”Innovations. Investments. Prospects” were organized: - expositions of cities and district centers of Vitebsk region ”Investment potential of Vitebsk region”. Innovative region development. “; international specialized exhibitions: - “Energy resource saving” in industry and building”; - scientific and technological achievements ”Innovative developments and innovative production”; - ”Business ideas – from the present to the past “; - work of goods and service fair, exposition of innovative equipment and machines samples, produced by Vitebsk region enterprises; - arts and crafts exhibition from Vitebsk region craftsmen;

Exposition of Vitebsk region enterprises

Exposition ”Business ideas – from the present to the past “;

Exhibit area of the Forum Within the Forum there was shown the production of more than 100 enterprises, representing industry, designing, construction, public utility sector, scientific research and educational institutions that have an experience in developments and efficient use of innovative energy resources equipment , materials and technologies.

The following leading enterprises in Vitebsk region participated: Joint Stock Company « Steklovolokno” , : Joint Stock Company “Vitebskdrev” , Foreign Production Unitary Enterprise “Dekora Ist”, JSC Belagroprombank - Vitebsk region office, JSC “Izmeritel”, Private unitary production enterprise «Polimerconstructsiya”, Joint venture with limited liability "LLK- NAFTAN", state institution “Administration of Free Economic Zone Vitebsk”, limited liability company “Production Association Energocomplekt”, Joint Stock Company “Vitebsk carpets”, Foreign limited liability company”LINPAK PackagingIst”, Open Joint Stock Company “ Vitebsk plant of electronic components ”Monolit”; Joint Limited Liability Company «ManuliGidravliksManufacturing Bel”, Open Joint Stock Company “Znamya industrialisatsii”, Joint Limited Liability Company “ plant of technological metal constructions”, Open Joint Stock Company «Invet», Limited Liability Company «Belkarolin», Open Joint Stock Company “ ceramic factory”, Open Joint Stock Company “Plant “Evistor” , State Enterprise «Vitebsk Building Construction Plant, Open Joint Stock Company “ Linen Mill”, Limited Liability Company “VitebslAutoCity”, Joint Stock Company “AMKODOR Kohanov Excavator Plant, Open Joint Stock Company «Orsha instrumental plant”, Open Joint Stock Company «Vityas» , Opent Joint Stock Company «Naftan», Open Joint Stock Company” Priorbank”, Republican Unitary Subsidiary Enterprise «Tolochin canning plant», Open Joint Stock Company ”Meat processing factory “Slavyansky, Open Joint Stock Company “Ceramics”, Limited Liability Company «Bel Bimbo Plus”, Joint Limited Liability Company “Belwest”, JSC Vitebsk Plant Tractor Spare Parts”, JSC “Postavymebel”, Open Joint Stock Company “Voropaevo woodworking plant”.

Exhibition with tasting attracted a lot of visitors and participants of the Forum. Within the exhibition tasting of the production of the leading food industry enterprises in Vitebsk region (Municipal Unitary Production Enterprise "Confectionery factory "Vitba", OJSC “Vitebsk meat processing plant”, Open Joint Stock Company “Verhnedvinsk Creamery”, Open Joint Stock Company “Orsha meat canning plant, Open Joint Stock Company “Orsha creamery” , JSC «Vitebsk broiler poultry factory», Open Joint Stock Company ”Meat processing factory “Slavyansky”, Open Joint StockCompany “Glubokoye Meat processing factory” etc) took place. More than 100 exponents from all took part in the exhibition arrangements of the Forum. More than 130 foreign representatives of business and government, 11 regions of Russian Federation and 13 countries of the world: Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ukraine, Russian Federation, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Slovak Republic, Tajikistan, the Socialist Republic Vietnam, the State of Israel, the Republic of Poland, People’s Republic of China, Turkey. To strengthen mutual beneficial cooperation in the social and economic sphere within the VII International Economic Forum ”Innovations. Investments. Prospects” the following cooperation agreements were signed: 1. The agreement between Vitebsk Regional Association of Employers and Entrepreneurs and Moscow Regional Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs (Regional Association of Employers) was signed by Director General of executive direction of Moscow Regional Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs (Regional Association of Employers) Vladimir Ivanovich Kozyrev and Chairman, the director of executive direction of Vitebsk Regional Association of Employers and Entrepreneurs Vladimir Pavlovich Turavinov.

Kozyrev Vladimir Ivanovich and Turavinov Vladimir Pavlovich

2. Partnership agreement on mutual cooperation between Polish-Belarusian Chamber and Commerce Industry and Communal consulting unitary enterprise “Vitebsk Regional Marketing Centre” was signed by the Chairman of Polish-Belarusian Chamber and Commerce Industry – sir Kaziemerz Zdunovsky and the Director of Vitebsk Regional Marketing Centre” Irina Nikolaevna Makarenko.

Kazimerz Zdunovsky and Irina Nikolaevna Makarenko

3. Memorandum on Cooperation and Interaction between the Senno District Executive Committee and Closed Joint Stock Company “Tsereras Group” the Republic of Belarus was signed by the founder of Closed Joint Stock Company “Tsereras Group” Alexander Alexandrovich Gapon and the Head of the Senno District Executive Committee Vasiliy Anatolyevich Cherednik. 4. Letter of intent on implementation of Investment project on construction of the boiler house based on the local fuel types at the Open Joint Stock Company “Moloko”, Vitebsk the Republic of Belarus was signed by the Deputy Director General of the Open Joint Stock Company “Moloko” Dolzhenko Vitaly Nikolaevich and the Director of the Interregional Energy Company the Federal Republic of Germany – Filinovich Alexey Grigoryevich; 5. Cooperation agreement between Unitary Enterprise “Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vitebsk Branch” and the Chinese Association of small and medium-seized enterprises of Bejing was signed by the Director of Unitary Enterprise “Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vitebsk Branch” Vorobyeva Natalya Alexandrovna and the official representative of Chinese Association of small and medium-seized enterprises of Bejing Barkovskiy Georgiy Sergeevich. Within the business program one of the most important event of the forum was International Research and Practice Conference «The presentations of innovative developments - “Energy resource saving” in industry and building”; The directors of enterprises, energetic, leading experts, research scientists of the Republic of Belarus took part in the conference. The participants of the Conference discussed the questions of energy supply reliability rise and the questions of energy saving, got acquainted with new technologies in the sphere of energy and resource saving. Within the business program of the forum simultaneously with the energy conference the two others sections were working hard, united into one: Exchange of business contacts and the section “Free economic zone” as the perspective platform for internal investments attraction”. The participation of the foreign delegations in this Forum, as well as new suggestions about the cooperation, proposals for Vitebsk region enterprises to take part in the common projects shows a great interest to the region with its opportunities of business development. It is honorable to be a participant of such an outstanding event for the enterprises and organizations, including the small and medium-seized businesses, the representatives of education and culture. For many participants it’s an opportunity to establish new business relationships. The experience of the guests in the creation and organization of investment projects is interesting to the heads of the government authorities, enterprises and organizations. Within the forum, in the room for negotiations on the Exchange of business contacts and other working platforms there were lots of business contacts, discussions of mutual plans for future. The forum participants discussed the possible perspectives of cooperation. The Economic Affairs Assistant of the State of Israel Embassy to the Republic of Belarus Igor Gavrik brought to the forum lots of suggestions for the enterprises of agricultural sector, oriented at cultivating of champignons, gherkins, vegetables in the closed ground in greater volumes, their processing and export. Igor Gavrik met with the direction of Limited Liability Company “Griboedoff” (Vasilki village, ), Limited Liability Company “FungiBellPlus” (Tolochin district), on the 18th of May there were meetings 1on the greenhouse complex Vityaz”, Open Limited Company «Rudakovo». Direct supplies of the vegetables of the closed ground and champignons to Israel were being discussed everywhere. The suggestions and the plans of Israel management implementing into the agricultural sector of vegetables growing in Vitebsk region and adjust Israel system of quality control to create the volumes. Vitebsk Regional Association of employers and entrepreneurs is planning response business visits in Moscow and Kaluga regions. The Chairman of Polish-Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry sir Kaziemerz Zdunovsky within the Forum got acquainted with investment projects in Vitebsk and Vitebsk region, suggests carrying out financial backing, support, assistance in construction, consultations on any issues. That was of particular relevance to house building and health objects. The management of Verkhnedvinsk district, but particularly for Communal Unitary Production Enterprise "Verkhnedvinsk joinery factory" sir Zdunovsky suggests credit granting for the obtainment of drying machinery. Lodz agency of regional development within the work of section “Business match making session”. «Free economic zone as the perspective platform for internal investments attraction carried out the presentation of its new project «Economic partnership as the way to the internationalization of small and medium-seized entrepreneurship of Lodz Voivodeship, aimed at establishing of contacts of Polish and Belarusian businesses. Primary questionnaire survey, carried out on the forum by Lodz agency of regional development with the assistance of “Vitebsk Regional Marketing Centre” made it possible to find out the interest of Belarusian enterprises to mutual cooperation in the sphere of clothing and footwear industry, production of substrates for mycelium, food industry. Thus, potential Belarusian participants of the project for mutual visits within the project and business match making session. It is expected that the result of the project will be signing agreement on the supply of their production by the project participants on the ceremony of opening ceremony of the XI European economic forum in Lodz in October in 2018. One of the largest delegations at the Forum arrived from the Repubic of Lithuania. The participants from the Lithuanian side conducted lots of negotiations with Belarusian entrepreneurs and achieved the following results from the forum: Sigitas Paulaskas, the chairman of Belarusian-Lithuanian business council along with the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, the chairman of the board UABVMGGROUP (Close Joint Stock Company «Vakaru medienosgrupe») came to agreement with the direction of Open Joint Stock Company «Vitebskdrev» on the supplies of fibreboards of wet way of production for the needs of enterprises group VMG. Sigitas Paulaskas and the direction of Joint Limited Liability Company “Novopolotsk plant of technological metal constructions” discussed the possibility of conclusion of investment agreement and the beginning of the construction of the entreprise in Novolukoml, which come into group VMG. Jonas Jagminas, the President of agricultural cooperative”AgroAvesGroup”, met with representatitives of JSC «Vitebsk broiler poultry factory» on the issues of organisation of premixtures supply to the poultry factory. The issue on the supply of veterinary preparations from Belarus to the Republic of Lithuania, in particular to “AgroAvesGroup”was resolved. Trade Economic Adviser of Embassy of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Belarus Fatih Turhan and the state institution administration of FEZ «Vitebsk » agreed on the cooperation and promotion of production of FEZ “Vitebsk” residents to the Republic of Turkey, and also the elimination of barriers in the process of export-import operations. Mr Tukhan expressed his interest in visiting the direction of FEZ “Vitebsk together with Turkish businessmen to get acquainted with their preferential terms of implementation of investment projects on the FEZ. Due to the forum the representatives of administration of FEZ «Vitebsk » established the contacts with the Lithuanian delegation headed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Lithuania Alexander Mikhailovich Korol. The negotiations with the chairman of the board UABVMGGROUP and concurrently the chairman of Belarusian-Lithuanian business council and along with the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, Sigitas Paulaskas, They agreed that Lithuanian delegation headed by Paulaskas would visit administration of FEZ “Vitebsk” to get acquainted in detail with the preferential conditions of FEZ and free lands for investment project implementation.. Unitary enterprise “Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vitebsk Branch” and Chinese Association of small and medium-seized enterprises of Bejing agreed on cooperative organization of visits of P.R.China enterprises in Vitebsk region. The result of presentation of the project of the United Nations Development Program Результатом презентации проекта ПРООН “Opportunities extention for the entrepreneurs in small and medium cities of Belarus – project experience. Social responsibility of business and its role in the regions development will become the creation of regional business incubators in the pilot districts of Vitebsk region for population employment and self-employment promotion. On the part of the organisers of the Forum great job was executed to create an intensive and actual business program. Once again at the Forum we told about the plans of development, about the fields of modern technologies where we are waiting for new decisions and that we are ready to work together small and medium business , with young scientists and foreign investors. The main thing is our mutual wish and striving to be technological leaders.

Director

Communal Consulting Unitary Enterprise «Vitebsk regional Marketing centre » I.N.Makarenko