GOMEL, 27 May (BelTA) - Prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation between Gomel Oblast and Türkiye in various areas were discussed at the meeting of Gomel Oblast Governor Ivan Krupko with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Türkiye to Belarus Güçlü Cem Işık, BelTA has learned.
The diplomat was briefed on the production and export potential of the southeastern Belarusian region. “Türkiye is a priority partner for Belarus. March marked 32 years since the diplomatic relations between Minsk and Ankara were established. We attach great importance to cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye, the development of mutual supplies of goods, interregional cooperation,” the governor said.
In his words, Gomel enterprises supply steel products, timber, milk powder, mineral fertilizers to Türkiye, provide road transport, tourism, education services. Goods from Türkiye are also supplied to the Belarusian southeastern region.
“We have mutual interest between our countries. We have the opportunity to further develop cooperation, increase trade between countries, regions, enterprises,” Ivan Krupko emphasized.
The governor cited the following data: Gomel Oblast- Türkiye trade amounted to $84 million in 2023, up 25%.
“The trade, export supplies to Türkiye, imported goods from Türkiye show that we are interesting to each other, and that we should further develop relations and interaction between our countries,” Ivan Krupko said.
According to him, the Belarusian region's enterprises are ready to offer Turkish partners a wide range of high-quality products: food, dairy, meat, confectionery, as well as products of industrial giants.
“We are ready to provide maximum support to all those interested not only in the economy but also in the humanitarian sector - tourism, education, culture,” the head of the region said.
In his words, the potential of the region's enterprises will be widely presented at the Gomel Economic Forum, which is slated for September 2024. Ivan Krupko invited the ambassador to take part in the event.
Güçlü Cem İşık accepted the invitation and noted: “We assess the prospects of cooperation with Gomel Oblast, as well as the prospects of cooperation with the whole Belarus, as very high. This is what we would really like them to be”.
“As it is known, our countries are friendly, our peoples are friends, and excellent, open, and sincere relations unite the presidents of our countries. Today there are excellent opportunities for the further development of cooperation,” he said.
According to the diplomat, cooperation between the countries continues to grow stronger. “Our bilateral trade numbers are increasing on a daily basis. The threshold in bilateral trade, which was set by the presidents of our countries, has been achieved. Despite it, we continue to work and increase mutual trade,” the ambassador said.
He added that Gomel Oblast is home to the country’s important industrial enterprises. “, a high-level visit from Türkiye is expected as part of the upcoming Belagro exhibition. The parties are expected to assess possible cooperation between our enterprises and countries,” Güçlü Cem İşık said.
“The possibilities of our cooperation are wider than they are at the moment,” he said.
The program also includes visits to the region’s enterprises.