Chairman Mikhael Miatlikov takes part in the 27th St.Petersburg International Economic Forum

The Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mikhael Miatlikov takes part in the 27^th St.Petersburg International Economic Forum, hosted by the Northern Capital of Russia on June 5-8.

As in previous years, the business programme focuses on the global and Russian economies, social issues and technological development.

On June 6, Chairman of the BelCCI took part in the two Forum sessions, "The Future of Business Cooperation Development within the SCO" and "The Union State: 25 Years of Integration – Results and New Challenges".

The authority and importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on the world stage has been steadily increasing in recent times. The organization is actively expanding, and a growing number of countries are showing interest in take part in its work. Considering the powerful economic and human potential of its member countries, we can safely say that the SCO is destined to become a new centre of economic power in a changing world.

The session participants discussed the possibilities for the SCO's colossal geopolitical potential being translated into practical interaction at the level of business, the issues of making the most of business opportunities in order to implement the SCO Economic Development Strategy for the period until 2030, the prospects that exist for intensifying cooperation in transport, energy, the green economy, digitalization, and artificial intelligence, as well as the practical measures that could further advance the business agenda in these areas.

Mikhael Miatlikov noted in his speech at the session that this year is of special significance for the interaction of the Republic of Belarus with the SCO: the country will become a member state of this organization. "At the same time, Belarus is not a newcomer to the SCO platform," the Chairman of the BelCCI emphasized. "Since 2010, we have been participating in the work of the organization as a dialogue partner, since 2015 – in the observer status. Therefore, the choice in favor of increasing the level of cooperation is the result of many years of productive joint work."

He praised the opportunities and potential of this association: "As the largest association of Belarusian business, we see a significant potential in economic cooperation on the platform of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, we are interested in its development. The Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry intends to take an active part in the SCO initiatives and the work of the Business Council."

The Chairman of the BelCCI also emphasized that Belarus was going to the SCO "not empty-handed", but with ideas and proposals for joint work. Among the priorities are the following: strengthening economic ties and development of industrial cooperation; formation of effective forms and platforms for business interaction; practical assistance to business in the framework of foreign economic transactions.

"Chambers of Commerce and Industry have serious experience and the necessary infrastructure to provide assistance on these issues. It should be utilized," Mikhael Miatlikov noted.  "I believe that joining efforts in the above-mentioned areas will help to unlock the potential of integration and ensure the development of trade and economic relations between the SCO states."

The participants of The Union State: 25 Years of Integration – Results and New Challenges" session discussed the advantages the Union State format offers compared with other associations, considered the results that have been seen from the completion of these tasks set by the main priorities of integration for 2024–2026, both in terms of creating a common economic space as well as pursuing a coordinated policy in scientific, technical, social, cultural, humanitarian, and youth information affairs, defined the areas that require a greater concentration of efforts.

It was noted that over 25 years much have been done to facilitate significant progress in harmonizing legislation in various sectors of the economy, the creation of common markets, and the alignment of business conditions for economic operators in Russia and Belarus.

At this session, Mikhael Miatlikov gave examples of productive inter-chamber cooperation within the Union State, including at the regional level.

In addition, the head of the BelCCI emphasized some existing problematic issues of integration, as well as the need for real integration of industrial policies of the two countries, creation of equal conditions for business entities, ensuring barrier-free access to procurement and subsidies, coordination of common measures to protect the domestic market, expansion of cooperation ties and further development of joint products with a high share of localization of production.

Following the results of the speech, the moderator of the session – State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev proposed a detailed discussion of the issues raised by the Chairman of the BelCCI at the upcoming events with the participation of Belarusian and Russian business – the Forum of Regions in Vitebsk region and the industrial exhibition INNOPROM-2024 in Yekaterinburg.

As part of his participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Mikhael Miatlikov attended the signing of a cooperation agreement between the BelCCI Business Training Center and the REC Export School.