Product supplies and joint projects. Gomel Region and Jilin Province are developing a partnership. 

September 17, Gomel. Regional Executive Committee Chairman Ivan Krupko and a delegation from China discussed prospects for developing cooperation between the Gomel Region and the city of Changchun, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China, at a meeting in the Belarusian city of Nad Sozh, BelTA reports. 

Krupko emphasized that the delegation's visit confirms the growing friendship between the regions and their mutual desire to develop fruitful cooperation. The partners were presented with the potential of the southeastern Belarusian region, its capabilities in a wide range of industries and areas. 
"The Gomel Region highly values ​​its friendship with the People's Republic of China," the regional executive committee chairman emphasized. He cited the development of interregional ties as the foundation of a mutually beneficial trade, economic, and investment partnership. "Today, the Gomel Region is linked to regions in China by five sister-city agreements. We are open to cooperation. We attach great importance to partnership with China and the development of mutual supplies of goods and services. Over the past five years, trade between the Gomel Region and China has more than doubled," the head of the region stated. 
He noted that wood pulp, meat, dairy, confectionery, and alcoholic beverages constitute the main exports to China . "The Gomel Region is interested in developing cooperation with the city of Changchun and Jilin Province and increasing mutual supplies of high-quality goods. Currently, 20 enterprises from the Gomel Region are accredited to supply food products to China," the regional executive committee chairman added.  He emphasized that there are good prospects for further trade and investment cooperation with Jilin Province in a number of areas. First, this involves the supply of food products from Gomel producers to Jilin: beef, poultry meat and by-products, whole-milk products, condensed and powdered milk and cream, whey powder, dairy candies, confectionery and alcoholic beverages, as well as wood products and mineral fertilizers. Second, this involves the implementation of industrial projects in the Gomel region with the benefits of the Gomel-Raton free economic zone. "Third, this involves the implementation of investment projects in agriculture: the construction of dairy farms with subsequent processing and delivery of finished products to China," Ivan Krupko outlined the promising areas.  He expressed confidence that the current visit of the Chinese delegation will open new prospects for cooperation and the implementation of joint projects and will contribute to the prosperity of the two regions.






In turn, Deputy Secretary-General of the Changchun City People's Government, Yong Zhang, called the Gomel delegation's visit to the Chinese province this August a window for future friendship and cooperation. He also admitted to being impressed by both Belarus in general and the Gomel region in particular. "I was very impressed by the enterprises – their order, management, and good infrastructure," Yong Zhang added. 

"Besides economics, we can discuss a wide range of topics: culture, sports, medicine, and student exchanges," the Deputy Secretary-General of the Changchun City People's Government asserted. 

The head of the delegation noted that there are already examples of close cooperation between enterprises in the two regions. "But this is only the beginning," he asserted.

Yong Zhang also emphasized the importance of developing interregional cooperation – between the cities, as well as between the Gomel Region and Jilin Province as a whole.

The Chinese delegation's visit to the Gomel Region has a busy schedule. The guests have already visited and plan to visit a number of enterprises, cultural and tourist attractions, and will also participate in the Gomel Economic Forum, where they plan to sign a number of cooperation agreements. 
Photo: Gomel Regional Executive Committee