Route to the East
Maintaining the course of market diversification as the basis of a balanced foreign economic strategy is an important characteristic of the global economic trend, which is relevant not only for the country's economy as a whole, but also for the regions. Along with the main trade and economic partner - the Russian Federation — the enterprises of the Mogilev region today actively consider as counterparties the foreign countries, primarily the Middle East and China.
For the enterprises of the Mogilev region, the People's Republic of China has become one of the main trading partners. If in 2022 the share of China in foreign trade turnover among non-CIS countries was 16 percent, then in the first quarter of this year it was 22.9 (commodity -turnover — USD 41.4 million, which is 110.1 percent compared to the same period of 2022).
A partnership agreement was recently signed between the Mogilev region and the Chinese city of Tianjin, whose population is more than 14 million people. In May, Tianjin hosted the days of the Mogilev region, under the auspices of which a business forum "Tianjin - the gateway to China" and an exhibition—presentation of products of enterprises of the region were held. Following the events, the parties signed a number of agreements aimed at expanding trade and economic cooperation between the regions. In addition, in February, the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee and the Chinese company Citic Construction Co., Ltd, which is a subsidiary of China's largest state financial corporation Citic Group, signed an agreement on the implementation of an investment project for the production and processing of livestock products in the Mogilev region.
The main export positions of Mogilev enterprises that are in demand in China are not only food products (poultry meat, frozen beef, milk and cream), but also timber and woodworking materials.
It is also worth noting the expansion of partnership relations between higher education institutions and educational institutions of Mogilev region and China.
A Center for Chinese Language and Culture has been opened at Mogilev State University named after A. A. Kuleshov. The work of the center shows a stable demand among students and residents of Mogilev for the study of the Chinese language, traditions and culture. Various educational and cultural events organized by the center are of great interest. Programs of language internships conducted on the basis of Chinese partner universities, including online, are being actively implemented.
With the active support of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Belarus and the Confucius Center at BNTU, a Chinese Language and Culture Center has also been established and successfully operates on the basis of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy. During its existence, more than 300 people have been trained in it.
And there are new horizons of cooperation ahead. This year, joint events are planned with the provinces of Hunan and Shanxi, timed to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the conclusion of ¬cooperation agreements. The Days of Henan Province in the Mogilev region will ¬be the main events within the framework of the already 20-year establishment of partnership relations. Of course, this is a continuation of the work to promote the products of Mogilev region enterprises that are loved by the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire to the Chinese markets.
Oleg KOROPOV, Head of BISR department for the Mogilev region.