Good starting point

Innovations in industrial products, new technologies and development of international relations: Minsk hosted the Belarusian Industrial and Innovation Forum

The Belarusian Industrial and Innovation Forum in Minsk was a venue for the largest Russian and Belarusian state and private companies. A wide industrial exhibition by Iran was presented here for the first time. During the business programme of the forum, experts discussed the development of international industrial co-operation, increasing the level of localisation, as well as import  substitution. The participants exchanged views at thematic sections on ensuring the uni-formity of measurements, strategies for innovative interaction and the development  of additive technologies. The event was attended by foreign trade representatives.  The 17th welding competition was held, where more than two hundred highly qualified specialists demonstrated their skills.

The emphasis of the event has traditionally been placed on modern innovations in industrial products, new technologies and the development of international relations

Eventful days

According to the Director of the EXPOFORUM exhibition company, Aleksandr Starikov, the Belarusian Industrial and Innovation Forum changes its content every year. However, the emphasis is traditionally placed on modern innovations in industrial products, new technologies and the development of international relations. The participants, among whom were representatives of many countries and large industrial enterprises, included representatives of private businesses from the Volgograd and Moscow regions.  “For example, the Volgograd development, which was brought to our exhibition for the first time, is a 5D printer. The innovation attracted visitors like a magnet,” noted Mr. Starikov. 
 The St. Petersburg Export Support Centre presented a collective stand of eight export-oriented St. Petersburg organisations that are engaged in the production of innovative equipment and solutions: laser processing machines, springs, a wide range of radio equipment, water heaters, loudspeaker equipment, visual warning devices, etc.
For the first time, a large-scale exhibition by Iran was demonstrated at the forum’s exhibition.
“It was industrial enterprises that were gathered here. Iranian business is trying its hand in our country, offering for example, equipment for the ventilation of premises. Iranian companies already have their first orders.”
The petrochemical industry was widely represented at the forum. The Chemistry. Oil and Gas exposition was attended by the enterprises of the Belneftekhim Concern and a collective stand by the enterprises of the oil and gas industry from Orenburg was organised. The general partner of the exhibition is the Gomel Chemical Plant.  A number of innovative start-ups were represented in the scientific sector. The guests were especially interested in the exposition of the Minsk City Technopark, where start-ups are launched on preferential terms: they give them the opportunity to develop, offer funding, and provide equipment.
Institutions and organisations of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and Education Ministry demonstrated their exhibits at the collective stand of the State Committee for Science and Technology. Among the most interesting developments is the MAZ 4381 EE electric truck — designed for intracity and suburban transportation of goods up to 4.5 tonnes, as well as automated 5-axis plasma and waterjet cutting systems.

An extensive programme

Within the framework of the Belarusian Industrial and Innovation Forum, the 17th competition of welders was held, traditionally attended by the organisations of the Industry Ministry, the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, the Energy Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Ministry of Housing and Utilities and Belneftekhim.
“More than 200 welders worked in specially equipped tents,” said Mr. Starikov. “The competition was very intense, with judges evaluating the skill of experienced high-class specialists.”
On the final day of the forum, the results were summed up and the best were rewarded.
Specialists from different countries, including China and Ukraine, participate in this competition from year to year. This year there are many participants from Russia.  An extensive business programme was also held. Within the framework of the panel section, experts discussed the prospects for the development of additive technologies in Belarus. At the section of the State Committee for Standardisation, experts shared their views on ensuring the uniformity of measurements. A sectional session of the international symposium Technologies. Equipment. Quality Topical Issues of Accreditation was also held.
Moreover, the forum was attended by heads and representatives of diplomatic institutions of more than thirty countries, including Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Venezuela, Poland, Ukraine, Finland, Switzerland, Japan. The guests were introduced to the expositions at the forum and told about the most interesting developments.

By Ilya Kryzhevich
Photos by BELTA, Roman Klyuchara