India, Gomel Oblast ready to explore new avenues of cooperation

Innovative technology, IT and medicine can become new avenues of cooperation between India and Gomel Oblast, BelTA has learned.

Ways to give a fresh impetus to mutually beneficial cooperation were discussed at the meeting of Gomel Oblast Governor Ivan Krupko with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Republic of Belarus Alok Ranjan Jha. There is a mutual interest in strengthening contacts in various domains and exploring new avenues of cooperation. Innovative technology, IT, medical equipment are named as the most promising cooperation avenues.

In 2022, Belarus and India mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. It is also a landmark year for India as it celebrates 75 years of independence. “This gives an additional impetus to strengthening relations in various areas,” Alok Ranjan Jha said.

According to Ivan Krupko, cooperation between Gomel Oblast and India is on the rise, but the potential is much bigger. When the pandemic subsides, the number of meetings, negotiations, joint projects will increase. In particular, the parties discussed plans to resume production of combine harvesters for India.

Since 2018, the growth rate of trade has more than doubled. India buys cellulose, timber, electric current control equipment, and stone products from Gomel Oblast. The region purchases Indian threads, medicines, equipment for heat treatment, ferrous metal products.

In recent years, India has made serious progress in its development, the governor said. “Belarusians know and feel India, they have a great attitude to this country. I think joint projects will allow us to get to know each other even better and will enable businesses to find common ground at various levels,” Ivan Krupko emphasized.

Alok Ranjan Jha expressed his personal gratitude for great educational opportunities for students from India. They feel at home in Belarus, the ambassador said. All in all, 290 students from India study at Gomel State Medical University. The first Indian citizen graduated from the university in 2005. From 2005 to 2021, 178 Indian students received diplomas from the Gomel university. In 2022, 51 people will graduate. Cooperation has also been established with Francysk Skaryna Gomel State University. Academic exchanges have great untapped potential.

The ambassador noted that India is ready to intensify cooperation in various areas. He called Gomel Oblast a region with great manufacturing, cultural and educational potential, which makes it a priority partner for India among Belarusian regions.

During his two-day trip to Gomel Oblast the ambassador is expected to visit Mirtek-Engineering and Gomselmash and to meet with the FEZ Gomel-Raton administration.

BelTA – News from Belarus