Cooperation between Belarus and China is becoming closer every day. Our products and goods have not only taken root in the Chinese market, but also compete with local brands. In turn, China lends a friendly shoulder to Belarus. Not long ago, the Minsk region received a prestigious international award for its outstanding contribution to cooperation with China.

And today the prize was shown to journalists. Deputy Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee Denis Kurlenko spoke about the intricacies of cooperation between the two countries and shared what such recognition from the Chinese means:

— Indeed, just recently an international forum of sister regions of China was held in Kunming. And our sister cities from the city of Chongqing made a proposal to nominate the Minsk region in the nomination for outstanding achievements in cooperation with Chinese regions. We really received this high award for our cooperation with Chinese regions, primarily with Guangdong and Chongqing. We have had about 10 years of cooperation with these provinces, and have signed cooperation agreements. In addition, detailed roadmaps have been developed for cooperation in various areas: from humanitarian spheres to joint projects in mechanical engineering, food production, electronics, robotics, production of drugs in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, and in other areas, including humanitarian ones.

It is worth recalling that in May of this year, an official visit to Chongqing was made by the delegation of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee led by Alexander Turchin.

— In Chongqing, of all the guests, it was the Republic of Belarus, represented by the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, that had the status of an honorary guest. We support the policy that has already been formed since 2022, when the agreement on comprehensive strategic cooperation between the heads of our states was signed. I think that Chongqing and Guangdong are an example of cooperation between our region that meets these requirements, — noted Denis Kurlenko.

Last year, trade turnover between China and Belarus (Minsk region) amounted to $ 2.5 billion. Based on the results of 9 months of this year, the countries approached $ 2 billion.

In July of this year, the chairman of the regional executive committee and representatives of enterprises of the Minsk region also visited Guangdong province: a roadmap for the medium term in various areas of cooperation was signed there.

— I must say that these two visits really gave impetus to further interaction between enterprises. After all, officials, as a rule, conclude agreements, sign roadmaps, and it is the business entities of the real sector and the social sphere that need to implement and implement them. Here is an example: after the official delegation, our enterprises — Slutsk Cheese Factory, First Dairy Plant – have already visited these provinces several times. Negotiations were held, there are real contracts for the supply of our products. In addition, Slutsk Meat Processing Plant is actively working on the Chinese market. Most recently, the Health Department of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee with our doctors visited a healthcare institution in Guangdong, where they worked out issues of joint interaction and supply of diagnostic equipment to the territory of the Minsk Region, – noted the Deputy Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee.

According to Denis Kurlenko, suppliers are currently being identified. In the future, the issue of joint production of the said equipment in the Minsk region will also be worked out.

— There are good examples in the production of medical products, traditional Chinese medicine: in our China-Belarus [industrial] park, a cluster of more than 30 enterprises in the field of production of medical products has been formed. Therefore, we are not stopping there, we are negotiating with the largest manufacturers of mechanical engineering in the People’s Republic of China, including electric vehicles, auto components. There was a visit of delegations to the Minsk region, they visited our enterprises. Now we are working on the issue of a repeat visit of these companies, — the official said.

It is also worth emphasizing once again that the Minsk region is the only one in Belarus to have such an award. This not only testifies to the high level of development of the region, but also emphasizes its importance in the international arena.