Days of Penza Oblast in Minsk

As part of the official visit of Oleg Melnichenko, Governor of Penza Oblast of the Russian Federation, to the Republic of Belarus, the Days of Penza Oblast in Minsk were held on April 2 at the Palace of the Republic. The event was organized by the Government of Penza Oblast with the support of the Minsk City Executive Committee. The Minsk branch of the BelCCI (Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) coordinated the business program.

The event marked a milestone, highlighting the importance of strengthening economic and cultural ties between Belarus and Penza Oblast of the Russian Federation.

During the Days of Penza Oblast, a presentation of the Russian region’s capabilities was held, featuring key speakers:

·         Dmitry Mezentsev, State Secretary of the Union State, emphasized the significance of integration processes between Belarus and Russia, noting that such events foster cooperation at all levels.

·         Oleg Melnichenko, Governor of Penza Oblast, outlined the region’s economic priorities, shared its achievements and key industries, and outlined prospects for collaboration with Belarus. He also highlighted successful examples of ongoing joint projects.

·         Nadezhda Lazarevich, First Deputy Chairperson of the Minsk City Executive Committee, thanked the leadership of Penza Oblast for the visit to Minsk, stressing the value of established dialogue and the importance of such initiatives for bilateral relations.

The parties discussed key areas for developing relations, including import substitution and industrial partnership in engineering, agro-industry, and energy; the adoption of innovative technologies in production processes; and the expansion of trade and economic ties.

Following the plenary session, negotiations took place between Belarusian and Penza enterprises. The Penza delegation included representatives from 24 leading companies, which arrived with ambitious plans and proposals for Belarusian businesses, including in import substitution.

Belarusian enterprises explored collaboration in textiles, specialized vehicle production, medical technologies, industrial equipment, and housing and utilities. Promising opportunities were also identified in supplying machinery and equipment for agriculture and forestry, furniture, construction materials, and confectionery to Belarus. In turn, Belarusian companies presented their innovations in light industry, tourism, and IT technologies to Penza partners.

Signed agreements included:

·         Motor Technologies Research and Production Enterprise LLC (Penza) – Mogilevliftmash OJSC (Belarus)

·         Vanslad LLC (Penza) – GrandBITorg LLC (Belarus)

·         TREI LLC (Penza) – BelTEI State Enterprise (Belarus)

A highlight of the program was an exhibition showcasing Penza Oblast’s achievements in industry, agriculture, science, and culture. A separate fair in Minsk allowed residents and visitors to purchase products from Penza enterprises, including local artisans’ crafts, food items, and souvenirs.

The event concluded with a festive concert dedicated to the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia. Performers and artistic groups from Belarus and Russia, including Penza Oblast, took the stage. The concert symbolized the cultural unity and mutual understanding between the two nations, serving as a fitting end to the Days of Penza Oblast in Minsk.