Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 29 October (BelTA - Xinhua) - The first China International Import Expo (CIIE 2018) to be held in early November in the Chinese city of Shanghai will be a unique opportunity to strengthen and expand contacts between Belarus and China, Belarus Economy Minister Dmitry Krutoi said.

The minister said that China is one of the world’s fastest growing markets, which is open to high-quality foreign products. This is why Minsk is thoroughly preparing for this event.

According to Dmitry Krutoi, Belarus will send a representative official delegation to CIIE 2018. It will be led by Deputy Head of of the Bleaurs President Administration Nikolai Snopkov. “It will be composed of ministers. I am too planning to go to Shanghai," he said. “All the members of the delegation have tight work schedules at the exhibition. This testifies to the high interest on the part of Chinese colleagues in development of all-round cooperation with Belarus,” Dmitry Krutoi noted.

Belarus will take part in two main parts of the exhibition: Country Pavilion for Trade and Investment and Enterprise & Business Exhibition. “The Shanghai import expo opens up new opportunities for our exporters. BelAZ, MTZ, Gomselmash, Belshina, Babushkina Krynka and dozens of other leading Belarusian manufacturers will take part in it,” said Dmitry Krutoi.

More than half of the 80 exhibitors from Belarus are agricultural and food producers. “We export eco-friendly high-quality products to China. We plan to expand our presence taking into account the interests of Chinese consumers. So far, two meat-processing plants, 50 milk-processing enterprises and five poultry farms have been certified to supply products to China. We hope that the high quality of Belarusian products at a reasonable price will win Chinese consumers. There are reasons for it. This year, Belarus’ meat and milk supplies to China have increased 6.6 times,” he said.

The minister also said that Belarus is gearing up to hold themed days to present various aspects of the country’s social and economic life. The country’s investment, innovative, export and tourism potential will also be presented at the Belarusian-Chinese business forum where the speakers will include experienced and highly-qualified representatives of the state agencies of the two countries.