MINSK, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone, a pivot of the Silk Road Economic Belt, serves as an engine of the Belarusian economy, the park's chief administrator told the Chinese media in an interview on Friday.
The industrial park, a special economic zone created by both countries within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, serves as a key platform for attracting worldwide high technology and investment, Alexander Yaroshenko said.
Widely hailed as a "pearl" on the Belt and Road, the park secures Belarus a strong suit for its geopolitical significance. Geographically, it sits at the heartland of Europe, linking up with the huge European Union market in the west and with Russia and Kazakhstan in the east through the Eurasian Economic Union. Politically, it thrives in a relatively favorable environment marked by domestic stability, the park head pointed out.
Another competitive edge of the park is the partnership with China, which boasts richer experience in economic zone development and unquestionable strength in capital and technology, he said.
The park is managed based on the model of China's Suzhou Industrial Park.
There are so far 20 Chinese companies out of the 36 companies that have already settled in the park.
Yaroshenko believes that the Chinese investors are leading the development of the Great Stone.
Both countries have also coordinated with each other on relevant legal efforts, with Belarus rolling out No. 166 presidential decree last May, the third one serving the park.
The decree fully incorporated advanced experience from China, such as the notion of providing "one-stop" services.
Speaking of the upcoming China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai this November, the former vice minister of the Ministry of Economy expressed high expectations for fruitful outcomes benefiting the Great Stone industry park and Belarus as a whole.
Belarus stands ready to actively take part in the Expo and use the Expo to promote Belarussian products and investment opportunities, he said.
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