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MINSK, 28 May (BelTA) – Belarus has suggested setting up a joint venture to process powdered milk in Cuba. The proposal was put forward by Agriculture and Food Minister of Belarus Leonid Zayats during talks with a Cuban delegation led by Cuba's Agriculture Minister Gustavo Rodriguez Rollero, BelTA has learnt.

“We are ready to set up a joint venture to process powdered milk on the territory of Cuba using Belarusian technologies. We could team up with the Cuban business community to manufacture the products that are in short supply in Cuba, like yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, ice cream, etc. We could also provide technical guidance and train Cuban specialists,” Leonid Zayats said.

He noted that Belarus can also open its own dairy companies. “We can build up-to-date dairy complexes in Cuba and supply them with our equipment and cattle. Belarusian specialists can provide technical guidance and training,” Leonid Zayats said.

Another proposal is setting up a joint venture to process poultry. “We could supply Belarus-made poultry meat and arrange its deep processing there in order to supply Cuban consumers with these products,” he added.

Other possible areas of cooperation include training and advanced training of Cuban agriculture specialists, supply of farm machines, plant growing in protected ground.

Gustavo Rodriguez Rollero expressed interest in Belarus’ expertise and knowledge in agriculture. “We need to forge close ties between the ministries. The agriculture development pattern that you pursue, as well as your successes in this field could serve as an example to us. We could adopt Belarus’ best practices to develop Cuban agriculture,” he noted.

A cooperation agreement between Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Ministry and Cuba’s Agriculture Ministry was signed on 19 September 2017. The document seeks to boost ties between agricultural companies, organizations and educational facilities of the two countries. The agreement provides for closer cooperation in crop growing, cattle breeding, mechanized agriculture, phytosanitary and veterinary control, education and training.