Business news

The technical documents provided by partners from Egypt are used to develop the tractor model. Designers of Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ trademark) and specialists of the Bobruisk-based tractor factory are involved in the process. The tractor for Egypt will be a simplified model of the Belarus 320 tractor. The new model will be fit for farmers and small agricultural enterprises. The first tractor is supposed to be presented during the international agricultural expo Sahara in Cairo in September. “The interest in our machines is huge in Egypt. It is a very promising market for us as far as export diversification is concerned. There are plans to sell the new tractor model via our partners not only in Egypt but also in other North and Central Africa countries,” noted Vladimir Kisel.

The Russian Federation, which buys 45-50% of the merchandise the Bobruisk-based tractor factory makes, remains a traditional market for the enterprise. But due to new economic conditions export to Russia has dropped a bit. In order to compensate for the losses, the factory is busy diversifying its export. The new markets include countries in Southeast Asia (Vietnam and Cambodia), Central America (Cuba and Nicaragua), Australia, Mauritania and Peru. Negotiations are underway to establish cooperation with Tunisia and Guinea.

Ukraine is another traditional market. Since the beginning of the year Bobruisk Plant of Tractor Parts and Units has tripled shipments to Ukraine. The company is executing three contracts signed with Uzbekistan. Bobruisk-made machines are also exported to Kazakhstan and other CIS states.

In his words, the results achieved in penetrating new markets are a logical outcome of the company’s export diversification program. In 2015 the program prioritizes Southeast Asia, Central America, and North Africa. The company has also tuned new tractor models to match requirements of specific markets. For instance, a Belarus 321 tractor modification for working on rice fields has been developed and is successfully sold in Vietnam.

Bobruisk Plant of Tractor Parts and Units was founded in 1945. At present it is part of the holding company MTZ. The Bobruisk-based factory specializes in making components of Belarus tractors. Since 2007 it makes compact tractors Belarus 320. At present the company’s choice of products include nine basic models of tractors and municipal vehicles based on them. Over the course of its history the company has made and shipped over 10,000 compact Belarus tractors, which are now used in over 50 countries.