The Belarus-Laos Friendship Society has been set up in Minsk. It is designed to strengthen cooperation and build intercultural dialogue between Belarus and Laos, BelTA learned from the Development Bank press service.
“Today we are creating another structure that will facilitate Belarus' cooperation with foreign countries - the Belarus-Laos Friendship Society. It is meant to intensify economic and social interaction between the two states,” Nina Ivanova, head of the Presidium of the Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, said at the founding meeting.
The event was attended by Chairman of the Board of the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Stolyarchuk and Chairperson of the Belarusian light industry concern Bellegprom Tatiana Lugina, as well as diplomats, representatives of public associations and students. Sergei Stolyarchuk and Tatiana Lugina have been working with Laos for some time. Thus, the chairman of the Board of the Development Bank co-chairs the bilateral cooperation commission, and the head of Bellegprom is assigned to this commission.
“Since 2012, during my work at the Development Bank, I have been dealing with Belarus-Laos trade and economic cooperation issues every now and then. During this time, a lot has been done: joint projects, export deals, a number of agreements. I am confident that the initiative to create a friendship society will open up a new chapter in the bilateral cooperation and will highlight the mutual desire to deepen partnerships in various areas - from economy and education to culture and tourism,” said Sergei Stolyarchuk.
“All this can subsequently evolve into effective business contacts. When countries invest in creative initiatives, support student programs or develop tourist routes, this creates a solid foundation of trust. And this, in turn, paves the way to large investments, technological exchange and innovative projects. Such a harmonious combination of the soft power of culture and the hard logic of the economy becomes a formula for success, turning international relations into a genuine partnership from which everyone benefits,” emphasized Sergei Stolyarchuk.
At the end of the event, by decision of the founding assembly, Tatiana Lugina was elected head of the Belarus-Laos society, and Sergei Stolyarchuk - deputy head. They noted that people who are interested can join the activities of the new entity at any time.
