Opinions & Interviews

ASTANA, 3 October (BelTA) – Belarus’ Industry Minister Dmitry Katerinich believes that Belarus is well-positioned to expand machinery exports to Kazakhstan. The minister made this statement as he met with journalists in Astana, BelTA has learnt.

According to the minister, Kazakhstan needs mining dump trucks and other machines used in the mining industry. “This year we have made decent progress in promoting BelAZ machines. The sales rose by over 30%,” Dmitry Katerinich said.

Apart from that, Mogilev Railway Carriage Works has started exported carriages to Kazakhstan. “We have already shipped 420 carriages worth approximately $25 million. One of these days we will sign a contract to deliver another 417 carriages estimated at the same amount of money,” the minister said.

Dmitry Katerinich reminded that joint ventures to assemble tractors, harvesters, elevators and other machines were set up in Kazakhstan. “This year we are set to put together and supply 1,500 tractors there,” he informed. The assembly plants offer a wide choice of machinery, from cotton harvesting machines to energy-efficient tractors. The production of 350 hp tractors has been launched this year. Several assembly plants producing tractor-mounted machines and machines for distributing fertilizers have been commissioned this year.

The minister informed that the two countries are now working to set up the joint industrial and technological park that will manufacture agricultural and municipal vehicles. “The foundation pit of one of the facilities (5,000 square meters) is under construction now. Several Belarusian companies are going to be among the shareholders of this park. They are Gomselmash, Bobruiskagromash and Lidselmash.