FESTIVAL RHYTHMS | FRATERNAL ATTITUDE | SHARED INTEREST | TRADING HORIZONS | CUSTOMER CHOICE | SMART GREENHOUSES

FESTIVAL RHYTHMS

The 35^th anniversary of the International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk once again brought together countries and continents. This year's forum was the largest ever: over 7 000 participants and guests from more than 40 countries gathered in the city above Dvina River. It is the only international festival in the world that has never taken a break since its inception.

FRATERNAL ATTITUDE

Prospects for Belarus and Uzbekistan cooperation. The meeting between the President of Belarus and the governor of Uzbekistan's Andijan Oblast took place in an unusual location. Shukhratbek Abdurakhmanov took part in Aleksandr Lukashenko's working visit to the Ustye farm in Orsha district. Belarus and Uzbekistan are counting on working together – this was agreed upon by the presidents of our countries during their recent talks in Minsk.

SHARED INTEREST

The Chiefs of the General Staffs of Belarus and Azerbaijan held negotiations in Minsk. The parties discussed the current state of bilateral military cooperation and outlined development paths in areas of mutual interest. It was emphasized at the meeting that Belarus-Azerbaijan cooperation is largely based on trusting relations between the Heads of the two states. As the Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Karim Valiyev, noted, our countries must strengthen cooperation, develop the exchange of experience and preserve common historical memory.

TRADING HORIZONS

The Belarus-Saudi Arabia Business Council officially started its work in Minsk. The first meeting took place. It was in a new format and finally confirmed the transition from precise contracts to systemic partnership. Saudi Arabia is one of Belarus' key markets in the Middle East. Since the beginning of the year, exports to the Kingdom have more than doubled.

CUSTOMER CHOICE

Belarusian manufacturers are expanding their presence in the Georgian market. The tenth BELMART store has opened in Tbilisi. The new store offers a wide range of meat and dairy products, juices, flour, and confectionery. These products are in high demand among Georgian buyers.

SMART GREENHOUSES 

A district-scale project. In Olshany, Brest Oblast, five more hectares of "smart" tomato greenhouses have been put into operation. They are partially controlled by artificial intelligence. The new greenhouse features autonomous drip irrigation, additional self-regulating lighting, and a computer-controlled climate control system. It produces high-yielding pink tomatoes that are resistant to diseases and pests. The vegetables are directly delivered from the greenhouses to the country's retail chains.