Minsk Days in Ufa: Business Forum as a New Driver for Sister City Relations Development

On June 11–12, 2025, Ufa, the capital of Bashkortostan, hosted Minsk Days—a large-scale event that combined business, cultural, and humanitarian programs. The centerpiece of the event was the business forum titled "Minsk and Ufa: Sister Cities – A New Driver for Development," organized by the Minsk Branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BelCCI). This forum brought together government officials and business representatives fr om both cities to discuss cooperation prospects and share experiences.

The forum was moderated by Sergei Nabeshko, General Director of the Minsk Branch of BelCCI. In his opening remarks, he emphasized:

"Sister city relations between Minsk and Ufa are becoming not just a symbol of friendship but also a practical tool for launching new joint projects, sharing experiences, and expanding economic opportunities."

Welcoming speeches were delivered by Vladimir Kukharev, Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, and Ratmir Mavliev, Head of the Ufa City Administration of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Both leaders highlighted the importance of strengthening interregional cooperation, noting that the partnership extends beyond economic ties to include social, cultural, educational, and sporting aspects.

The plenary session of the business forum provided a platform for discussing strategic directions for the partnership between Minsk and Ufa. Key topics focused on modern challenges and opportunities for deepening bilateral ties.

Participants emphasized the crucial role of business support institutions in fostering sustainable economic relations between the cities. Special attention was given to the modernization of industrial zones, wh ere traditional production sites are being transformed into modern innovation hubs capable of attracting investment and creating new jobs.

A highlight of the forum was the signing ceremony of cooperation agreements between enterprises and organizations fr om the two capitals. The Minsk Branch of BelCCI signed a cooperation agreement with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Bashkortostan. This document opens new opportunities for strengthening business ties and expanding economic interaction between the regions.

Following the plenary session, delegations continued their work at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Bashkortostan, wh ere bilateral negotiations took place between Belarusian and Ufa-based companies. This allowed participants to discuss promising projects and solidify specific agreements on joint activities aimed at fostering mutually beneficial cooperation, including contract signings.

In addition to the business forum, residents and guests of Ufa enjoyed a rich cultural program, which included:

- Belarusian Goods Fair—an opportunity to appreciate the high quality of Belarusian products (running fr om May 10 to 15).

- Concert "Minsk Welcomes Friends"—a celebration wh ere culture speaks a universally understood language.

- Sports Events—symbolizing healthy competition and unity.