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Belarus invited to assemble electric buses in Catalonia

An archive photo

MINSK, 31 January (BelTA) – Catalonia invites Belarus to set up a joint plant to assemble electric buses, Catalonian Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport Isidre Gavin said as he met with Director of the National Center for Marketing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Valery Sadokho on 31 January, BelTA has learned.

“We have enterprises that produce motorcycles, vans, and trains, but none that produce buses. Thanks to cooperation with the Belarusian electric transport manufacturer Belkommunmash, we can gain experience in this field. It will be a long-term cooperation. We could not only cater for the needs of Catalonia, but also supply products to other Spanish regions and neighboring countries,” Isidre Gavin said. The Belarusian party will ship component parts and units, and the end product will be assembled in Catalonia.

“Catalonia is the leader in the automobile industry and has various technologies that could help Belarusian enterprises get access to new markets,” Isidre Gavin stressed.

Apart from industrial cooperation, Catalonia is also mulling over buying transport in Belarus. “There are two options: procurement by state-owned or private enterprises. State-owned enterprises could buy 2,000 electric buses, trams, and trolleybuses to meet the needs of Barcelona and Catalonia,”  Isidre Gavin noted.

The Catalonian delegation also held negotiations with the Belarusian air carrier Belavia. According to Isidre Gavin, low-cost air service between the two countries was off the agenda. “We have proposed Belavia launching a regular flight between Minsk and the city of Reus. The discussion also touched upon the operating Minsk-Barcelona flight,” he added.

“Catalonia boasts well-developed chemical, pharmaceutical, mechanical engineering, electronics, construction, and agricultural industries. Belarus-Spain trade equals around $300 million. This is not much for Spain. We could increase trade by 5-10 times,” Director of the National Center for Marketing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Valery Sadokho said.

Belarus' main exports to Spain include furniture, glass fiber, flax fabrics, and building structures. Belarus imports Spanish fruits, metal structures, medications, vegetables, wines, and other products.

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