Business news

MINSK, 12 July (BelTA) – Belarus and Moldova are considering the possibility of establishing joint enterprises for the production of milk, baby food, and wine, Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusy said during the meeting of Moldova President Igor Dodon with Belarusian businessmen on 12 July, BelTA has learned.

“Plans are under consideration to set up a joint enterprise for the production of milk in Moldova. We also propose a joint project to make baby food from fruit and vegetables that grow in Moldova and that Belarus does not have so that not to buy them from third countries. We are ready to consider opening a plant for processing, bottling and production of high-quality wine in Belarus. We will provide all preferences, and are ready to consider any options. It is also possible that we will set up a joint factory to make ice-cream,” Mikhail Rusy noted. He specified that the production of wine can involve either Moldova alone, or Moldova-Belarus-Russia, or Belarus-Moldova, or Russia-Moldova.

Mikhail Rusy said that it is necessary to establish a Belarusian trading house in Moldova, and a Moldovan one in Belarus. The trading house would ensure access to Belarusian goods, he stressed.

Belarus and Moldova are set to increase their mutual trade to $400 million over the next two or three years (the countries already raised their trade to such a level in 2012). Belarus hopes to step up its export by 20-30%. A roadmap has been developed to achieve the target. Relevant issues will be discussed twice a year at meetings of the intergovernmental commission.

The two countries cooperate in a wide range of areas, from the assembly of trolleybuses to the production of fruit and vegetables. For instance, Belarus has taken measures to ensure smooth operation of the green corridor for perishable fruit and vegetable supplies from Moldova.