Minsk, 28 December - Belarus has made a lot of progress as a sovereign and independent country, Belarus' Education Minister Andrei Ivanets told journalists on the sidelines of the exhibition at the International Exhibition Center in Minsk.

“This large-scale exhibition is very unique and timely, because Belarus has made a lot of progress as a sovereign and independent country. We can proudly say that the country has established itself as a welfare state and an intelligent nation. Our most valuable asset is our people. Everything that has been achieved by the country was achieved thanks to the hard work and creativity of our people. The exhibition consists of various thematic zones highlighting what the country has already accomplished and what it is capable of achieving,” Andrei Ivanets noted.

He emphasized that knowledge-intensive sectors of the economy, such as nuclear energy, are also actively developing in the country. “About a third of our country's energy is generated by the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant. It has become a locomotive for various branches of science and economy,” the minister noted.

According to him, Belarus has begun to train specialists in chemical technologies, nuclear technologies, new professions in materials science, information technology with a view to ensuring the safety of the Belarusian NPP.

Biotechnology is a relatively new industry for Belarus. “The establishment of the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation was meant to bolster the agro-industrial complex. This corporation has already become a recognizable brand abroad,” said Andrei Ivanets.

Scientists and manufacturers actively interact to increase the efficiency of the national economy. “Such traditional industries as mechanical engineering have actually received a new lease of life, because production of electric buses, trucks, hybrid vehicles, electric dump trucks has already become a page in the history of sovereign Belarus, which is inextricably linked with technology and intelligence,” he emphasized.

All these industries are featured at the exhibition. The youngest visitors will be able to try themselves in various sports, and the older generation is invited to learn more about the ultra-modern health facilities and advanced diagnostics that Belarusian doctors perform.

The exhibition occupies an area of more than 30,000m2. It includes indoor and outdoor premises, a food court, a cultural events area, as well as various venues under the general name “My Belarus is a place of power”. Visitors to the exhibition will learn about many interesting projects related to the country's achievements.

The exhibition will be running for several weeks. Visitors will be able to use shuttle buses departing from several metro stations. Information about the exhibition and cultural events will be published on the official website and in the exhibition's Telegram channel.