Business news

ASHGABAT, 11 December (BelTA) – Belarus and Turkmenistan are considering the possibility of setting up a joint enterprise to process Belarusian powdered milk, Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats told journalists on 11 December, BelTA has learned.

The minister noted that Belarusian technology may be used to manufacture whole-milk products, cheese, baby food, and ice cream for the market of Turkmenistan. He emphasized that the Turkmen side shows interest in this.

Turkmenistan is also interested in Belarusian animal products. Leonid Zayats said that Belarus had proposed to supply livestock and help Turkmenistan with the design and construction of farms so that the country could increase the productivity of dairy farming.

Leonid Zayats noted that many matters of agribusiness cooperation were discussed by the Agriculture Ministries of the two countries.

“I believe our next task is to use the political platform laid down by the presidents in order to boost the cooperation between the economies of Belarus and Turkmenistan,” the minister stressed.

Belarus is also ready to supply raw materials for Turkmen processing enterprises. Leonid Zayats said that the production capacity of Turkmen enterprises is not very high as they use local raw materials. Belarus suggests that the lineup of the processing industry should be expanded. Besides, the market of Turkmenistan should be filled with the food products that are available to Belarusian customers.

For its part, Belarus is interested in Turkmen cotton. “This country grows cotton of a very high quality. We would like to have it for our textile industry,” Leonid Zayats pointed out. In his words, Bellegprom Concern is currently working to arrange direct supply of Turkmen cotton to Belarus.