VITEBSK, 20 September (BelTA) – Polotsk is expected to sign the declaration on joining the Covenant of Mayors in Friedrichshafen on 27 September, Polotsk Mayor Alexander Poznyak told BelTA. Thus, Polotsk will be the first Belarusian city to make commitments to the implementation of the EU 20-20-20 targets. The major goal of the strategy is to curb CO2 emissions by at least 20% by 2020. “By joining the Covenant of Mayors Polotsk will be given access to European innovation energy-saving...

MINSK, 19 September (BelTA) – As from 1 October, one will need to present a passport to buy foreign currency, BelTA learned from chairperson of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) Nadezhda Yermakova. This service will be introduced on 1 October. “The software is almost ready but we have to test it,” according to Nadezhda Yermakova. She also said that the unified record keeping for foreign currency purchase will be introduced in all Belarusian banks. There are no plans...

MINSK, 19 September (BelTA) – The China Development Bank is expected to grant a $189-million loan to finance the construction of the Vitebsk hydropower plant on the Western Dvina River. The relevant loan agreement was concluded between Vitebskenergo and the Chinese bank, BelTA learnt from the Energy Ministry of Belarus. The Belarusian government provides guarantees to the Chinese bank of repaying the loan, interests as well as other payments for the use of the loan. Belarus’ BPS-Bank has...

MINSK, 16 September (BelTA) – OAO Polotsktransneft Druzhba would like the Lithuanian court to recognize the company’s ownership of 110,000 tonnes of process oil in the oil pipeline Polotsk-Ventspils and to force OOO LatRosTrans to pay the damages caused by illegal drain of over 40,000 tonnes of oil, representatives of the Belarusian company told BelTA. Thus, Polotsktransneft Druzhba has changed the matter in the dispute between the Belarusian company and the Latvian-Russian one. Earlier...

VITEBSK, 15 September (BelTA) – Manufacturers and entrepreneurs from Vitebsk are going to discuss cooperation prospects and educational projects with partners in Kaluga on 15-16 September, BelTA learnt from the regional union of employers. The business trip was stipulated in a cooperation agreement signed by the regional union of employers, Kaluga union of manufacturers and entrepreneurs, and the Smolensk Oblast sci-tech union. The Belarusian delegation will meet with top officials of...

VITEBSK, 15 September (BelTA) – Vitebsk Oblast boats a considerable economic potential, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of South Korea to Belarus Kang Weon Sik said as he met with Vitebsk Oblast Governor Alexander Kosinets on 15 September, BelTA has learnt. According to the ambassador, Vitebsk Oblast has a well-developed manufacturing industry and other industries. The advantageous geographic position of the region opens great prospects, too. “Vitebsk plays an important role...