The meeting of the Scientific and Expert Council under the Standing Committee of the Union State was held in Minsk

The meeting of the Scientific and Expert Council under the Standing Committee of the Union State on the topic “Features of trade, economic and investment cooperation in the Union State” was held today, October 2, at the site of the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park “Great Stone”.

As the co-chairman of the Scientific and Expert Council under the Standing Committee of the Union State, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich noted in his welcoming speech, the meeting is a great opportunity to discuss all the pressing tasks and issues facing the Union State, including within the framework of the development of national economies.

- I urge you to talk not only about achievements, but also to think about solving issues that hinder the more active development of innovative technologies, he said.

According to the speaker, the Belarusian economy concentrates its efforts on active development.

- This was noted in the speech of the Prime Minister of our country on October 1 at the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Union State, and, of course, at the VII All-Belarusian People’s Assembly. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that, in principle, the Belarusian economy is open. The share of exports in GDP is traditionally more than 50 percent. This suggests that it is necessary not just innovation and investment development, it must be innovative in nature. This means high technologies, competitive production, highly liquid goods, which are necessary for the domestic market of our Union State, for the domestic market of Belarus, and, of course, as an export item. Therefore, the development of innovation is a priority among priorities, he stressed.

Mikhail Myasnikovich noted the important status of such organizations as the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park Great Stone, HTP, calling them one of the growth points:

- Of course, these growth points provide innovation in their essence, and, of course, are interesting as an export item. Therefore, it makes sense for us to talk today about foreign direct investment, primarily from the Russian Federation. It seems to me that the activity of Russian-Belarusian and Belarusian-Russian companies could be higher.

- There are 2,400 companies with Russian capital in Belarus and 238 with Belarusian capital in Russia. If you look at the structure, more than 70 percent of these companies are wholesale and retail. Perhaps we should pay attention to the fact that there are still more projects aimed at the manufacturing industry.

In addition, Mikhail Myasnikovich noted that the timing of approval of the Union programs should be revised.

- Under the Union State programs, we are now preparing a new order. It passes the final form of coordination, where it is planned to significantly simplify the preparation of scientific and technical programs, to reduce this cycle to at least two years.

The agenda of the meeting included five issues. Among them are the assessment of the potential of trade, economic and investment cooperation between Belarus and Russia in bilateral and multilateral formats, the experience of the China-Belarus Industrial Park (resident companies) in attracting investments in the economy of the Republic of Belarus and the Union State, the synergy of science and industry in the implementation of high-tech projects in the Union State and other issues.