Delegates visited the flagship of Belarusian mechanical engineering and learned how the famous combine harvesters — the “ships of the fields” — are created.
At the company’s Palace of Culture, discussions focused on strategies, figures, and future plans, while at the production facilities guests saw these ideas brought to life. During the tour, participants learned about the intricacies and production secrets behind the agricultural giants. They witnessed firsthand the scale, technological sophistication, and manufacturing culture that have distinguished Gomselmash for decades.
The first stop of the visit was the assembly and testing workshop. Here, forum participants observed the final stages in the creation of complex agricultural machinery. They also visited the company’s permanent machinery exhibition. The exhibition showcases achievements in engineering thought and features both mass-produced machines in steady demand and the company’s earliest models. Guests had the opportunity not only to inspect the machinery, but also to assess its ergonomics, power, and technological equipment.
Without a doubt, the participants of the session will remember this day not only for productive negotiations, but also for the opportunity to experience firsthand the history and modern achievements of one of Belarus’s largest enterprises.
Svetlogorsk District became the venue for a specialized seminar on tourism industry development held within the framework of the юбилейного XX Gomel Economic Forum.
The first site visited by participants was OJSC “SvetlogorskKhimvolokno”. Although the enterprise is not currently positioned as an industrial tourism destination, it attracts considerable interest from visitors. Unique materials with remarkable properties and specialized production processes are capable of drawing the attention of both curious young people and representatives of the older generation.
Participants visited the medical gloves manufacturing facility. This division of “SvetlogorskKhimvolokno” was built under the state import substitution program and currently supplies the country’s healthcare sector with a wide range of sterile and non-sterile medical gloves made from natural and synthetic latex. Automated glove production systems, quality control and packaging areas, as well as the coordinated work of the staff, create a lasting impression on visitors and represent one of the key success factors in industrial tourism.
This was followed by a plenary session during which participants discussed strategic priorities for the development of tourism in Belarus for the current five-year period, along with other relevant issues concerning tourism as a driver of economic growth for the Gomel Region.
At the conclusion of the session, participants exchanged views on the promotion and development of tourism and outlined specific steps for coordinating efforts in this area. An important moment of the event was the signing of cooperation agreements between potential partners and the “Mashinostroitel” health resort.
The participants later visited the “Ola” memorial complex, the “Urechye” eco-base, and the “Vydritsa” national wildlife reserve, where they became directly acquainted with sites related to military-patriotic and ecological tourism.
The business program was officially opened by Chairman of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee Ivan Krupko and Acting Governor of the Bryansk Region Yegor Kovalchuk.
“Bryansk Region is Gomel Region’s largest economic partner. In the first quarter of this year, the trade turnover growth rate reached 120%. Around 150 enterprises of the Gomel Region export their products to Bryansk Region, while 100 enterprises import Bryansk goods. Deliveries are carried out across 800 product categories,” Ivan Krupko emphasized.
Over the years, the forum has helped strengthen existing business ties and identify new areas of cooperation. The governor particularly stressed this point:
“We cooperate in industrial integration, housing and road construction, education, culture, sports, and implement joint projects aimed at patriotic education of young people. Industrial cooperation is represented by the flagships Gomselmash and Bryanskselmash, as well as by a new joint project of the Gomel Electrotechnical Plant and Thermotron-Zavod focused on manufacturing railway products.”
The Chairman of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee also placed special emphasis on cooperation between the business communities of the two regions, noting that successful development in this area is based on the exchange of experience, knowledge, and technologies, allowing innovative solutions to be found and competitiveness to be increased:
“The foundation of trade and economic cooperation between our states lies in direct business-level relations between the regions. We are committed to constructive cooperation in all areas relevant to our countries.”
During the official opening ceremony of the forum, Yegor Kovalchuk highlighted the close trade relations between Bryansk Region and the southeastern region of Belarus:
“Within the framework of the cooperation agreement between our regions, trade turnover continues to grow steadily. The share of Gomel Region in Belarus-Russia trade turnover with Bryansk accounts for 36%. The projects presented and developed within the framework of the forum will only increase this figure.”
The Acting Governor of Bryansk Region wished the forum participants new promising contracts, successful projects, and productive work for the benefit of both regions.
As part of the plenary session, opportunities in the construction sector of Gomel Region and industrial enterprises of Bryansk Region were presented. Cooperative activities between the two regions were also showcased.
In addition, several cooperation agreements were signed.
Chairman of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee Ivan Krupko and Acting Governor of Bryansk Region Yegor Kovalchuk signed an Action Plan for 2026–2029 aimed at implementing the Agreement between the Gomel Regional Executive Committee of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of Bryansk Region of the Russian Federation on cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, technical, humanitarian, and cultural spheres.
The Action Plan for implementing the Cooperation Agreement between the Gomel City Executive Committee and the Bryansk City Council of People’s Deputies for 2026–2027 was signed by Chairman of the Gomel City Executive Committee Ruslan Parkhamovich and Head of the City of Bryansk Marina Dbar.
An Agreement on Cooperation between the Gomel Regional Association of Trade Unions and the Federation of Trade Unions of Bryansk Region was signed by Chairwoman of the Gomel Regional Association of Trade Unions Elena Klichkovskaya and Chairwoman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Bryansk Region Olga Polyakova.
The forum session “Tourism Industry – a Driver of Economic Growth” will take place in the Svetlogorsk District.
Why Svetlogorsk? As explained by Daniil Dvorkin, Deputy Chairman of the Economic Committee of the Regional Executive Committee, the district boasts numerous sites of historical, cultural, natural, ecological, industrial, and other types of tourism. Together, they powerfully unlock the potential of our tourism industry – showcasing to forum participants the beauty and hospitality of the southeastern region.
As part of the session, a new video highlighting the tourism opportunities of the Gomel Region will be presented. Beyond the Svetlogorsk District, we have plenty of remarkable territories, sites, and locations capable of impressing even experienced travelers.
Guests will visit the Ola memorial complex, where a wreath-laying ceremony will be held in memory of the victims of the Great Patriotic War. They will also explore the infrastructure of the “Vydritsa” nature reserve – a natural gem of the Svetlogorsk land.
A key moment of the gathering will be the signing of landmark cooperation agreements in the tourism sector.
The strategic session of the forum entitled “Science and Technology” will take place on May 21 at the “Coral” Technopark.
As explained by Elena Gaimanova, Head of the Department of Industry and Innovation Activities of the Economy Committee of the Regional Executive Committee, young scientists from the Gomel Region will present their latest discoveries and developments to forum participants during the session. These include students from the region’s leading universities and employees of scientific organizations whose innovations have already gained significant recognition in the scientific community.
Representatives of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus will speak about the most promising developments, some of which have already been implemented in the country’s industrial sector and other fields of activity.
Very young researchers — the future leaders of science — will also present their achievements. Many of them are residents of “Innopark”, the children’s division of the Gomel Technopark. Winners of the republican youth competition “100 Ideas for Belarus”, held under the auspices of the BRSM, will also showcase their best projects at the forum.
In addition, the session will widely present the capabilities of the Gomel Technopark and introduce the latest developments of its resident companies. A highlight of the event will be a tour of OJSC “Gomelglass”, which produces an entire range of high-tech coated glass products. Participants will be shown the full production process of this advanced material — from raw materials to finished products.
Chairman of the Economy Committee of the Regional Executive Committee Mikhail Akunets informed journalists about the upcoming major events in the business life of the region.
On May 21, the Gomel Region will host the two-day XX Gomel Economic Forum. Traditionally, it will be divided into strategic sessions covering the agro-industrial complex, science and technology, artificial intelligence, tourism, and women’s entrepreneurship. Each session is unique in its own way and deserves special attention. Two sessions will be held off-site: the artificial intelligence session will take place in Rechitsa, while the tourism session will be held in Svetlogorsk.
As Mikhail Akunets noted, more than 400 participants have already confirmed their attendance at the forum, while applications are still being received. The forum’s geography already includes 13 countries, among them China, the UAE, and Japan. Representatives from seven Russian regions have also announced their participation.
Within the framework of the forum, approximately 18 significant documents are planned to be signed, including both commercial agreements and cooperation agreements between organizations, universities, and business entities.
During the same days, the city on the Sozh River will also host the V Regional Business Forum “Gomel–Bryansk”. An exhibition showcasing the achievements of the Gomel Region will be organized at Lenin Square. Leading regional enterprises producing machinery and equipment, as well as scientific organizations, food industry enterprises, and tourism sector representatives, will present their best products.
Participants of both forums will not only have the opportunity to learn about the economic potential of the Gomel Region and take part in the sessions, but will also undoubtedly find reliable partners and conclude mutually beneficial contracts.
As part of the XIX Gomel Economic Forum, a strategic session on “Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Gomel Region” was held on September 18 at the Gomel State Medical University.
The session was attended by Deputy Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Tatarinovich V.V., members of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Sapego L.V. and Smolyak A.V., Deputy Chairperson of the Gomel Regional Council of Deputies Ivantsov O.A., Chairperson of the Gomel Regional Trade Union Association Klichkovskaya E.V., representatives of the United Nations Development Programme in Belarus, local authorities, civil society organizations, youth movements, as well as institutions from the social sphere
and the real sector of the economy. In total, the session gathered over 130 participants.
The main issue discussed was the directions of socio-economic development of the Gomel region until 2040, as set out in the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy. Taking into account the results of the earlier public consultation, it was decided to submit this program document for consideration by the Presidium of the Gomel Regional Council of Deputies.
In addition, speakers presented approaches to the development of territories affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, as well as the experience of cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme in Belarus in support of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The session concluded with a recognition ceremony that was held by the National Coordinator for the Sustainable Development Goals to honor contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the promotion of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Gomel region.
The participants also visited the exhibition “Industry. Science. Technologies”.
More than 70 representatives of banks, commercial organizations, and individual entrepreneurs took part in the session “Financial and other Instruments for business development”.
Particular interest was aroused by issues related to the development of support instruments for small and medium-sized enterprises,
the application of artificial intelligence in marketing
based on OJSC “Sberbank”, the development of online trade in Belarus including partnership with “Wildberries” and expansion into new markets. The session also highlighted
instruments and opportunities for business offered by the Belarusian Fund for the Financial Support of Entrepreneurs.
The participants of the section visited the exhibition “Industry. Science. Technologies”.
The strategic session on tourism development within the framework of the XIX Economic Forum was held at the picturesque Palace and Park Ensemble – a landmark of cultural heritage that symbolizes the region’s rich history and its tourist appeal.
The session was moderated by Pavel Starosvetsky, Head of the Department of Sports and Tourism of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee. During the discussion, Igor Nazarchuk, Head of the Tourism Sector of the Department, gave a presentation on the tourism potential of the Gomel region, innovative approaches in the tourism sector, as well as government support measures implemented in the Republic of Belarus.
Special attention was paid to the development of domestic and inbound tourism, the creation of new tourist routes, and improvements to infrastructure.
Forum guests, representatives of the Bryansk, Smolensk, and Chelyabinsk regions of the Russian Federation, shared successful cases of tourism projects, spoke about the growth of related infrastructure, and outlined promising areas for cooperation. Effective initiatives aimed at enhancing the investment attractiveness of the industry were also highlighted.
As part of the event, the signing of a joint action plan on developing the tourism potential between the Chelyabinsk region and the Gomel region is planned, which will be an important step in strengthening interregional cooperation and cultural exchange.
On September 18, a strategic session “Industry and Innovation” was held. The participants were presented with information on the digital transformation of the Republic of Belarus, existing information and educational platforms, the development paths of artificial intelligence in all spheres of life, practical recommendations on research and development in production, the introduction of digital labeling, and ensuring cybersecurity.
As part of the session, an exchange of experience took place with the business community of the Altai Krai of the Russian Federation. Following the session, a series of B2B meetings were held.
Dear friends and partners!
I present to your attention the investment potential of the Gomel region that is the lagest region of Belarus with a powerful industrial complex, modern infrastructure and rich natural resources.
The basis for sustainable development is strong business ties. Our region has successful experience of interregional and international cooperation in both the production and social spheres. We have the ability to find common ground and build paths to achieve common goals.
The regional authorities are purposefully creating a favorable investment climate and comprehensively supporting initiatives aimed at increasing competitiveness, developing innovations and developing new markets.
Gomel region is interested in expanding the circle of reliable partners and ready to support mutually beneficial projects focused on long-term effects and profitability of investments.
I am confident that the forum will serve as a convincing confirmation of the attractiveness of the region for new investors and will open up further promising areas for developing cooperation with time-tested and proven partners.
