News & Events in Belarus

HISOR, 16 May (BelTA) – Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko and his Tajikistani counterpart Emomali Rahmon have officially inaugurated the assembly plant of Belarusian agricultural machinery in the town of Hisor, BelTA has learnt.

The heads of state unveiled a commemorative plaque on the premises of the plant, familiarized themselves with the production, discussed its development prospects and spoke with the company’s employees.

“I will be here in September (Tajikistan will host a session of the CIS Heads of State Council in September 2018 – BelTA’s note) and I will see how you trade. In September you will brief us on the markets you will have entered,” Alexander Lukashenko said addressing top managers of MTZ and the assembly plant in Hisor.

Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon shared his views on development prospects of the new manufacturing facility and sales. He noted that the country runs a great number of projects supported by international financial institutions that help local agricultural companies purchase machinery.

The heads of state were informed about plans to localize production in Hisor. Alexander Lukashenko expressed support for the plans to produce part of nodes for the assembled machinery in Tajikistan.

They also discussed practical training of Tajikistan’s assembly line workers in Belarus. “It (production – BelTA’s note) is just a start. It will provide engineers for Tajikistan,” the Belarusian president said.

He also suggested using MTZ machinery for provision of municipal services and ordered to bring samples of attached equipment to Tajikistan.

Director of Agrotechservice Jalolidin Nuraliev told reporters that Tajikistan needs new machinery, because its vehicle pool has been worn out. “As of today, we need about 10,000 tractors alone. Therefore, we decided to launch an assembly facility here. This also dovetails with the program to create new jobs and to turn Tajikistan from an agricultural country into an agricultural and industrial country,” he noted.

The company chief informed how professional training is arranged for people who manufacture, operate and service machinery in Tajikistan. “There are plans to train mid-level technical specialists who will work on the ground. There will be teachers from Belarus. Our specialists have already been trained and we want to send them to Belarus for additional practical training at assembly lines,” Jalolidin Nuraliev said.

In his words, talks are in progress to sell the Belarusian machinery assembled in Tajikistan on the markets of third countries, like Afghanistan.

MTZ and Bobruiskagromash together with Agrotechservice are implementing a project to launch the assembly of tractors, trailed and attached equipment in Hisor. This assembly plant was included by the government of Tajikistan in the list of very important facilities. The parties are mulling over to abolish VAT (18%) on jointly produced agricultural machinery in Tajikistan. At present, the production complex includes a small assembly shop (1,100 square meters), a finished goods warehouse, an outdoor area for agricultural machinery display and an administrative and educational building. The construction of an assembly shop with a total area of ​​more than 1,600 square meters is underway. It will include three lines to assemble Belarusian equipment.

At present the company assembles Belarus-80.1 and Belarus-82.1 tractors. There are plans to step up assembly of machinery to be sold on the markets of Tajikistan and Afghanistan. In 2018 the parties will launch the production of trailed and attached equipment of Bobruiskagromash and self-propelled mowers of Gomselmash in Hisor. Plans are in place to expand the model range of equipment.

The company has launched a project to set up a training center for mid-level technical specialists who will maintain and service Belarusian agricultural machinery. Talks are underway to involve teachers of the Belarusian National Technical University in the educational programs of the training center.