BREST, November 10 The heads of the Ministry of Economy of Belarus and the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia signed a memorandum of cooperation on issues development of special economic zones, the correspondent reports.
A memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the Ministry of Economy of Belarus on the creation and development of special (free) economic zones was signed on Friday in Brest following a joint meeting of the boards of economic departments of the two states. The document was signed by the Minister of Economy of Belarus Alexander Chervyakov and the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov.
According to the Ministry of Economy of Belarus, the memorandum defines the key areas of interaction between the two countries in terms of the development of special (free) economic zones and the implementation of significant investment projects, the search for promising territories for the creation of special (free) economic zones, the development of state support measures for the implementation of investment projects, and the attraction of foreign investment.
As Reshetnikov explained to journalists, there are more than 50 special economic zones in Russia, which have extensive experience in attracting investors and cooperation, and the specialization of such zones is already being formed.
“The situation is similar in Belarus… Each region has its own competitive advantages, its own competencies. And when we create a network structure for the exchange of information and experience within special economic zones, it becomes easier to find new opportunities, what investors need. Sometimes (in some region — ed.) there are no people, no scientific school, sometimes there is no technology, but they exist, for example, in a neighboring region or in neighboring Belarus. This allows you to flexibly move enterprises, develop quickly, increase production output,» said minister.
He emphasized that it is precisely such opportunities that are of interest to business.
«Just in response to this request (from business — ed.), we have formed a memorandum that will allow our special economic zones to regularly exchange experience, interact and, in some cases, form a common product. Because for many industries focused on the domestic market — the food industry, the production of building materials — one site is not enough, they need to build 5-6 production facilities at once. A common (with Belarus – ed.) map of special economic zones will provide an opportunity to promote such a joint product,” he stated. Reshetnikov added that such interaction will ultimately have a positive impact on the growth of the economies of Russia and Belarus.