The Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Karelia signed a cooperation agreement on the sidelines of a business forum dedicated to regional development. It is currently taking place in Minsk and is timed to coincide with the visit of the Karelian government. The parties intend to expand cooperation in exchange trading. This includes more active engagement with private businesses, identifying promising commodity items for export and import, and eliminating unnecessary intermediaries. As early as May, Belarus and Karelia will become even closer. Direct flights from Minsk to Petrozavodsk are planned, significantly simplifying travel between the regions.