Belarusian Gomel Oblast, Russia's Nizhny Novgorod to expand cooperation

Vice Governor of Gomel Oblast Dmitry Aleinikov and Head of the Representative Office of Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Oblast in Belarus Andrei Dudkin discussed key areas of cooperation between Gomel Oblast of Belarus and Nizhny Novgorod Oblast of Russia on 13 November, BelTA has learned.

Dmitry Aleinikov noted that Russia is a major economic and humanitarian partner of Gomel Oblast. "We share a centuries-old history, close ties between people, cultural and spiritual values. This is complemented by mutually beneficial economic cooperation," he stressed.

Gomel Oblast maintains active ties with the Russian regions, Dmitry Aleinikov stated. About 450 organizations with Russian capital are registered in the region. More than 550 Gomel enterprises are represented on the Russian market.

Economic cooperation between Gomel Oblast and Nizhny Novgorod has been growing nicely.

Nizhny Novgorod is the center of shipbuilding, Andrei Dudkin said. "We have a joint program with Belarus’ Transport and Communications Ministry to revive shipbuilding in Belarus. Almost all documents have already been signed and agreed," he said.

“We have very good relations with Gomel Oblast in the agro-industrial complex and equipment manufacturing. We are actively cooperating in seed, fruit and vegetable production. We are interested in supplies of food products and consumer goods. This is in demand in Russia,” the head of the representative office named the major areas of partnership. Nizhny Novgorod Oblast can offer Gomel Oblast chemical components to improve oil production.

“Another very important area is interaction in environmental protection,” Andrei Dudkin said. He cited the examples of water treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater, handling a number of highly hazardous materials, and many more.

The parties also focused on mutual interests in machine-tool construction, metallurgy, furniture and metalware industries. “Today we cooperate in almost every area. We need to strengthen the depth of this interaction. We need to build cooperative and integration schemes, develop joint products,” Andrei Dudkin added.

Dmitry Aleinikov believes that there is a great potential for joint work in the welfare sector. One of the key areas is the patriotic education of youth. According to the vice governor, a number of memorial complexes have been recently opened, restored and reconstructed in the south-eastern region. Today they regularly host excursions.

Andrei Dudkin emphasized that the matter of preserving the historical memory of the Great Patriotic War is important for Belarus and Russia. "Within the framework of our bilateral relations, we pay special attention to best practices of Belarus [in this area]," he added.

He pointed out that there are many memorials in Belarus, which remind people of the heroism and tragedy of the people. Belarus has developed various tourist routes, which are of interest to Nizhny Novgorod residents.

Speaking about the cultural and humanitarian cooperation, the head of the representative office emphasized that Nizhny Novgorod artists come to Belarus to hold master classes for children and promote their art. Such meetings have recently been held in Grodno Oblast. In December the artists will come to Gomel Oblast.

The parties also discussed the idea of holding a recitation contest. Children from Belarus will recite the poems by Maksim Bogdanovich, whose life was connected with Nizhny Novgorod, in the Belarusian language, and children from Russia - in Russian. "Children are very interested in such projects. It is important to continue joint search for new unusual formats, because friendship starts in childhood. If we teach children to be friends, there will be no problems in the future," Andrei Dudkin said.

"In general, we are willing to discuss any proposals and ideas in any areas. We have no topics we would rather not discuss with our friends, partners, colleagues," Dmitry Aleinikov summarized.