The Governor meets the delegation of Republic of Lithuania

During the visit of the delegation of the Republic of Lithuania headed by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania Remigijus Motuzas to Smolensk region there was a working meeting with the Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy and the representatives of the executive authorities of the region, at which the prospects of bilateral cooperation were defined.

Greeting the Lithuanian delegation, the Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy said: "I am very grateful to you for the initiative of holding this meeting, for visiting the Smolensk region. In addition to cultural and humanitarian projects connecting the Republic of Lithuania and the Smolensk region, there are reserves for the implementation of larger projects in the economy. Unfortunately, the turnover with the Republic of Lithuania in the total regional exports is less than five percent, for imports it is only half a percent. But the fact that there is a number of enterprises with Lithuanian capital, registered and operating on the territory of the Smolensk region, and also your initiative to hold this meeting give a reason to expect that the results of the working visit and negotiations will lead us to the new levels of cooperation for the benefit of residents of the Smolensk region and citizens the Republic of Lithuania. We are set up to maximize the positive dialogue based on mutual interests".

In his turn, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania in the Russian Federation Remigijus Motuzas expressed confidence in the effectiveness of not only today's meeting, but also of the subsequent interaction between the Smolensk region and Lithuania: "I want to thank you, Alexey Vladimirovich for meeting with us. I have been working in Moscow not very long. During the presentation of credentials, President Putin also said that we are close neighbors, but our cooperation potential is not fully used. And, of course, the President mentioned our good-neighborly relations. I think that speaking about these relations, you are the closest of our neighbors. I would like say that Lithuania is interested in further development of bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. Once again thank you for your warm welcome and I hope that our visit will be useful".

The members of the delegation of the Republic of Lithuania and the representatives of the executive authorities of the region discussed the opportunities and prospects for bilateral cooperation in the field of logistics, tourism, culture, production of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, as well as in the field of wood processing.

Taking into consideration our geographical location and high transit potential of the Smolensk region, the transport interests of Lithuanian representatives concerned the establishment of logistics centers and contacts with the logistics companies of the region. The Lithuanian carriers occupy a large niche in the international traffic: according to the statistics, their share in the freight passing through the region is 18%. The Head of the region expressed an interest in the development of this sphere and readiness to create all necessary conditions for setting up a logistics center. In fact, the Smolensk region already has a similar experience: three years ago the largest customs and logistics terminal of the German company Rhenus, which is one of the largest operators in terms of freight traffic in Europe,  was opened the region.

The participants of the meeting also discussed the establishment and development of partnerships in the pharmaceutical sector and the production of medical equipment. Commenting on the proposal, Alexey Ostrovskiy said that the Smolensk region is the best place for the production of pharmaceutical products in terms of its geographic location. Moreover, the regional legislation provides investors with significant preference in case of setting up the production in the region. As an example of effective public-private partnership the Governor gave the joint project of the Administration of the Smolensk region and the German company "Fresenius Medical Keir", which resulted into opening the modern dialysis center. Alexey Ostrovskiy suggested the Lithuanians consider the prospects of such cooperation.

The representatives of the Lithuanian production industry, specializing in wood processing, can see the prospects of investment in the economy of the Smolensk region and construction of specialized companies here. According to the Governor, the necessary conditions have been created for such businesses coming to the region: "I can see the most real projects in this sphere in terms of practical implementation. Today, in the region, the largest wood processing company, which is part of the largest European group «Egger», is already operating in Gagarin and the Administration provides aid in constructing the second stage of the project. When construction is completed, it will become the largest woodworking plant in Europe. We are ready to rent timber, provide sites for the construction of a timber processing plant, tax benefits under current law, to negotiate with energy on preferential connection", - the Head of the region called for cooperation.

Summing up the meeting results, the parties noted the friendly and business-like atmosphere of the dialogue. "We are very happy to have you here and wish you a successful continuation of existing contacts and establishment of new business relations with the business community in the Smolensk region. I will always be happy to answer your questions and provide any assistance", - said Alexey Ostrovskiy.