A panel discussion of this scale and topic was held in Belarus for the first time. The initiative came from the FEZ "Vitebsk". As explained by the head of its administration, Mikhail Skurat, the idea was born during an international forum held in Dubna, Moscow region.

– We agreed to hold a meeting on the Vitebsk platform, the main task of which is to bring together representatives of FEZs and SEZs from three countries (Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan) on a single platform to develop specific cooperation projects for their subsequent financing from funds allocated by the Eurasian Economic Commission for the subsidization of such programs, – noted Mikhail Skurat.

Among the main topics discussed were ways of cooperation between territories with preferential regimes in the Union State and the EAEU, mechanisms for increasing their investment attractiveness, and financing joint investment projects.

Initially, such economic zones were created at the state level as growth points, with attractive conditions for investors. And they have proven their viability. For example, today, projects for the production of high-tech products in the pharmaceutical, machine-building and machine-tool industries, as well as in the food and light industries are being implemented at the sites of FEZ "Vitebsk". Six residents have been registered in the young, actively developing free economic zone "Bremno-Orsha", and nine investment projects are being implemented, primarily aimed at the development and provision of transport and logistics services. In the current five-year period, the volume of investments by FEZ residents in the region exceeds one billion dollars.

Further development of free economic zones within the Union State and the Eurasian Economic Union has great prospects, primarily in terms of implementing joint projects for the development of industrial cooperation.

Ilya Fedorov, representative of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus, noted that there are 56 special economic zones operating in Russia.

– Not only the exchange of experience with management companies from different countries is important, but also the interaction between residents. We have great potential in terms of cooperation and market promotion of products. Within the EAEU, an instrument for supporting industrial cooperation has been introduced, which extends to at least three countries. This format of work is very interesting and has great prospects. Two projects have already been approved, – emphasized Ilya Fedorov.

One of these projects involves the resident of FEZ "Vitebsk" – LLC "Gidropress". This is a large-scale project for the development of a high-speed highway. The first line will connect Moscow and St. Petersburg. A total of four routes are planned, one of which is Minsk – Moscow. It will be possible to travel from one capital to another in 3 hours by a high-speed train traveling at a speed of 400 km/h.

– Our enterprise has received a good commercial order. We are supplying equipment (four presses) for the Murom Railway Switch Plant, which has mastered an innovative railway switch that will be used for high-speed railways. We are proud to participate in a joint program of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan. This is a very promising direction with a great effect, – explained Alexander Lukashok, Development Director of HydroPress LLC.

vitebsk-region.gov.by