The President of the Kherson CCI Viktoria Ostroumova, the leadership of the Kherson regional state administration and representatives of Kherson enterprises took part in work of the First Forum of Ukraine and Belarus regions, held in Gomel. The Forum started with the VII Meeting of the Belarusian-Ukrainian Advisory Council for Business Cooperation organized by the National Chambers of Commerce and Industry of both countries. During the meeting, the following issues were considered:

- Development of an Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of  Belarus for Approval of the Regulation "On establishment and application of the Electronic Certification System of goods origin"; 

- Interregional cooperation and export potential of Ukraine and Belarus regions; 

- Trading platforms for trade expansion between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus; 

-Interaction of business circles and enterprises in various economic spheres. 

According to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Ukraine, Mr. Igor Sokol, trade turnover between the countries over the past year has increased by 20 percent compared with 2016 and amounted to 4.6 billion $ USA. This year, the positive dynamics is maintained. Between January and August 2018, the trade turnover increased by almost 25 percent, which is 3.7 billion $ USA. 

President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine Gennadiy Chizhikov said in 2018

23 events took place in regional and national chambers, indicating a positive dynamics of interaction. 

At the end of the Consultation session 9 documents were signed for a total amount of 10 million dollars USA.

Next day, October 26, 2018, the Forum held a plenary meeting headed by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.     

The President thanked Ukraine for the initiative to hold the First Forum of the Regions of Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus and noted its effectiveness. In particular, according to the President, a number of agreements have already been signed between the regions and more documents are planned to be adopted.

Petro Poroshenko also noted the cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus is based on friendship. "We are absolutely sure that relations have come to serious growth. The economy of our countries shows increase by more than 23% ", - said Ukrainian President. According to him, there is an increase in the supply of Ukrainian products to Belarus. "It is very important for us to keep these trends", - added Petro Poroshenko. 

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko noted that all agreements and decisions, reached with the Ukrainian side, are being implemented. For this, all the tools are involved, including Vice Premieres work - the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. More, the President of Belarus drew attention to the fact Ukraine is not only a good friend and a neighboring country for Belarus, but also one of the most important political and economic partners.