Business news

MINSK, 12 February (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in starting MKD (Medium Knocked Down) assembly of Peugeot Citroen concern automobiles. The relevant statement was made by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to France Pavel Latushko as he visited a Peugeot showroom (the holding company PS Avto Grupp) together with French businessmen on 12 February, BelTA has learned.

At present Peugeot automobiles are assembled in Belarus using SKD (Semi Knocked Down) kits. “The project has become a very important impulse towards the agreement of the French side to set up an intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. It is a real confirmation of the interest of French private business in cooperation with Belarus,” noted Pavel Latushko.

MKD-based assembly is supposed to be the next step. The share of Belarus-made components in the cars may vary from 30% to 50%. “We are certainly interested in supplying Belarus-made components to French enterprises that operate in other countries, including in Russia,” stated the Ambassador. He stressed that the process is a complicated one and requires considerable financial investments. “Although the situation on the automobile market is rather difficult, we will continue working in this direction and convincing French partners that they should invest in the project in Belarus. The decision should be made by the end of the year,” he noted.

Belarus-made Peugeot automobiles are available in retail as of 2 February. The product choice includes the sedan Peugeot 301 and the restyled crossover Peugeot 3008. According to Valentin Trigorlov, PS Avto Grupp’s Marketing Director, the interest in Belarus-assembled cars is rather strong because these cars are priced competitively in comparison with foreign-made ones. “About 15 contracts on purchasing the cars have been signed. It is a good result that has been achieved over the period of ten days in a difficult economic situation. We will have the first ceremony to solemnly hand over the keys tomorrow,” he said.