Orsha is hosting the XIII International Economic Forum. The forum discusses promising joint projects in the industrial and social spheres. The second day of the forum was dedicated to expanding cooperation with the SCO countries. Belarus has become the new 10th member of the international organisation. The SCO is 3.5 bln people and countries that are among the world's top five leading economies, including China, India and Russia. It accounts for the main foreign trade turnover of Belarus. It is $52 bln a year, half of which is exports. Over the year it has grown by another 8%. Interregional ties are being strengthened. China has become closer thanks to the SCO. The organisation's experts are now working to simplify mutual settlements between the countries, to make transport corridors more efficient, while the regions, including Orsha, are working to improve the quality of their products. According to the forum participants, they will definitely be in demand in the SCO. And the potential of the Orsha district as a whole should be used to strengthen contacts with the countries of the organisation.