“Relations in the social sector is the foundation in any matter. Gradually the cooperation turns into close economic ties. Over the past year Zhabinka District has signed three twinning agreements with Russian regions - Perevoz District, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Zadonsk District, Lipetsk Oblast and Iglino District, the Republic of Bashkortostan,” said Andrei Kuzmich.
Delegations of Russian partners visited Zhabinka District to signed cooperation roadmaps. “There are projects with all three regions. At this stage these are mostly social and cultural relations. There is also certain progress in the economy,” Andrei Kuzmich said.
So far the closest cooperation has been established with Zadonsk District. Zhabinka fodder factory held negotiations with companies that breed sturgeon. The Belarusian enterprise shipped to Russians a trial batch of mixed fodder for valuable fish species. In addition, the Russian region is famous for its honey. Plans are in place to organize a honey fair in Zhabinka in 2023. Zhabinka District has also taken up the idea of making gingerbread. “Partners shared the recipe with us. We want to make gingerbread the brand of our satellite town. We have baked samples and are studying the potential demand for this product. This will be done by the fodder factory. They have their own bakery, they bake bread and make confectionery,” said Andrei Kuzmich.
“The head of Perevoz District has sent us a roadmap with the promising areas for interregional cooperation,” said the head of the Zhabinka District Executive Committee. He added that there were also plans with Iglino District. For example, we are considering the delivery of mixed fodder for valuable fish species there as well. We are also establishing contacts with Karelia. Zhabinka fodder factory has signed an agreement with a local investment company on the purchase of raw materials for the production of mixed fodder for valuable fish species with subsequent export.
“All twinning parties are also interested in cooperation in healthcare and tourism. Our Nadzeya and Bug resorts are very popular and in demand among tourists from Russia. Partners are interested in sending groups of tourists from these regions to us for recuperation,” the head of Zhabinka District said.