Region

Gomel branch of BCCI and Hungarian region of Baranya sign cooperation agreement

The Gomel branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Hungarian region of Baranya signed the cooperation agreement on October 17, BelTA learnt from Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vasily Starovoitov. According to him, the agreement will contribute to intensification of the cooperation between economic entities of the two countries, to boosting the mutual trade of the Gomel oblast and the region of Baranya of Hungary. According to Vasily Starovoitov, the sides determined the ways of further cooperation. In spring 2008, a delegation of the Gomel businessmen is expected to pay a visit to the Baranya region. In turn, the Hungarian businessmen intend to take part in the investment forum which will be held in the Gomel oblast in May next year. Representatives of the economy committee of the oblast administration, leaders of the Gomel branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, big companies of the region – the Gomel Distillery Plant, the Gomselmash Company, the Gomel plant of Machine-Tool Parts, the Gomel Glassware Plant were the members of the Belarusian delegation. Over the seven months 2007, the export of the Gomel oblast to Hungary totaled $14.9 million. The Belarusian region exports ferrous metal to Hungary mainly. Last year the export of the Belarusian Steel Works increased two times. The main exports of Hungary to the Gomel oblast are machinery, medicines, plastic articles. In line with the agreement on cooperation between the Gomel oblast and the Baranya region concluded on September 11, 2003, 60 children from the Gomel oblast improved their health in the Baranya region. Drawing up the budget for 2008, the leadership of the Hungarian region is expected to consider the financing of a regular recuperation visit of Belarusian children.