The United States will become the central exhibitor of the 27th installment of the Minsk International Book Fair, Deputy Information Minister Igor Buzovsky told reporters, BelTA has learned.  “The Russian Federation will be the guest of honor and the United States will be the central exhibitor. Due to the fact that the United States was unable to participate as guest of honor last year due to the objective reasons, we will provide them with an opportunity, at their request, to...

The Belarusian Internal Affairs Ministry has determined quotas for registering applications for refugee status in various regions in 2020, BelTA has learned. The document specifies where applications for refugee status, additional protection, or shelter can be filed in Belarus. A total of 700 applications will be accepted this year. Applications from 120 people can be approved in Brest Oblast, 150 in Vitebsk Oblast, 150 in Gomel Oblast, 90 in Grodno Oblast, 110 in Minsk Oblast, and...

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has signed the decrees to award the Spiritual Revival award and special prizes to art luminaries, BelTA learned from the Belarusian leader's press service. Five Spiritual Revival awards will be bestowed upon groups of workers and representatives of religious associations for their humanitarian activities in 2019. The award will be conferred to the head of the parish of St. Mary Magdalene Church of the city of Minsk, Archpriest Ivan Khoroskevich...

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko declared open the 16th edition of the International Christmas Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the Prize of the President of Belarus and the national junior ice hockey competition Golden Puck in Minsk on 3 January, BelTA learned. “In these New Year's days, during this festive season Minsk is literally living and breathing by star hockey.  The International Christmas Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the Prize of the President of Belarus has...

The Stolbtsy-based division of Minsk Motor Plant (MMZ trademark) is about to commission an enterprise to make high-precision, high-tenacity cast iron products. The project’s cost is close to $25 million, the company’s press service told BelTA. The small-series cold hardening shop smelt the first batch of metal in December. The manufacturing division will satisfy MMZ’s demand for high-precision cast work. The division will also be able to take orders from other companies,...

Small businesses account for 40% of the tax revenues the Minsk Oblast budget receives, BelTA learned from Deputy Chairman of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee Nikolai Rogashchuk. The deputy head of the oblast administration said: “Small and medium business vigorously develops in Minsk Oblast. For three years in a row we’ve been the best region in terms of entrepreneurship development. Last year small business contributed over 33% of the gross regional product. This year we...

The Minsk agreements remain the only tool to resolve the conflict in the Donbass, political scientist Yuri Shevtsov told the media, BelTA has learned. The expert stressed that the Minsk agreements are still on the agenda. There is no abandoning them. This is the only tool to resolve the situation in the south-east of Ukraine. It was the Minsk agreements that put an end to the active phase of the war in the Donbass. There is no alternative to them yet, and there is no looking for it. We...

The CIS Plenipotentiaries Council is expected to convene in Minsk on 3 December, BelTA learned from the press service of the CIS Executive Committee. The experts will harmonize a joint plan of activities of the CIS Executive Committee, the CIS Council of Permanent Representatives and the Economic Affairs Commission at the CIS Economic Council to implement the instructions pursuant to the decisions adopted at the meetings of the CIS Council of Heads of State (11 October), the CIS Heads...

Belarus’ Minsk Oblast and Sughd Province of Tajikistan have expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation through setting up joint companies, First Deputy Chairman of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee Igor Makar said as he met with Governor of Sughd Province Rajabboy Ahmadzoda, BelTA has learned. “Our future prospects are in setting up joint ventures,” said Igor Makar. “We have modern scientific institutes, a well-developed meat and dairy industry, light industry, and...

Furniture manufacturers affiliated with the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom are showcasing their latest products at Mebel 2019 in Moscow, the largest furniture expo in Eastern Europe. The event opened in the Russian capital on 18 November, BelTA learned from the press service of Bellesbumprom. Bellesbumprom is represented by its major companies such as Pinskdrev Holding Company, Molodechnomebel, Gomel Furniture Factory Progress, Slonimmebel,...