Business news

MINSK, 7 June (BelTA) – In the past eight years Belarus’ production of agricultural equipment made up $23 billion, two thirds of these products were exported, Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko said at the opening of the international specialized expo Belagro 2016 on 7 June, BelTA has learned.

“In the past eight years we produced $23.7 billion worth of farming equipment, spent $7.9 billion on production upgrade, more than two thirds of products were exported. It is impossible to earn tens of millions of dollars by selling bad equipment. We export this equipment to more than 60 countries, this is a huge achievement,” Vladimir Semashko stressed.

The vice premier noted that 7-8 years ago Belarus solved the issue of food security. “We fully satisfy our demand for foodstuffs, have reached the global level of gram harvest per capita and the yield of 38 centners per hectare. We have solved a crucial task – the export of foodstuffs is very important for our country. In 2015, the country’s export of dairy and meat products reached $6 billion. Besides, the agro-industrial complex was equipped with cutting-edge machinery,” he said.

Vladimir Semashko explained the average age of harvesters is about 5 years, of tractors 5-5.5 years. On the one hand, the Belarusian agriculture was equipped with modern vehicles. On the other hand, the problem of export of this equipment has been solved, he said. According to the vice premier, the country has developed the system of constant improvement of farming equipment. The Industry Ministry, the Agriculture and Food Ministry, and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus design a new system of machines every five years.

The international specialized expo Belagro 2016 is held as part of the Belarusian Agro-Industrial Week on 7-11 June. The exposition occupies 31,271 square meters on the territory of Minsk 1 Airport. Partaking in the exhibition are 535 companies from 23 countries.

Collective expositions are presented by the Agriculture and Food Ministry, Industry Ministry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, State Science and Technology Committee, Belneftekhim Concern, Bellegprom Concern, Belgospishcheprom Concern, Belcoopsoyuz, Emergencies Ministry, Architecture and Construction Ministry, other ministries and agencies, as well as the private sector and farms. A number of international exhibitions, such as Belferma, Belprodukt, Food Industry and others, are held as part of the Belagro 2016.

The Belagro 2016 expo was visited by the participants of the 3^rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia.