Business news

KIEV, 21 July (BelTA) – The exports of the Belarusian automobile engineering company BelAZ to major markets surged by more than 200% in 2017, Director General of the managing company of BelAZ Holding Company Piotr Parkhomchik told the media in Kiev, BelTA has learned.

“Our exports grew 2.2 times over the last six months. There is growth in exports to virtually every market. The exports to Russia ballooned by 230%, to other CIS countries by 140%, to non-CIS countries by 170%. I think the overall exports to the CIS will double by the end of 2017 taking into account big contracts recently signed with Uzbekistan. We will reach the volume of exports of 2016 by the end of July,” the director general said.

Speaking about the sales of the world’s largest haul truck with a payload capacity of 450 tonnes, Piotr Parkhomchik noted that this vehicle is currently operating in Russia’s Kemerovo Oblast. It has hauled over 7 million tonnes of rock mass over some two years. “We do not rush to sell models No. 2 and No. 3 that have already been assembled. The manufacturing of such vehicles requires more thorough tests. This is why we are now testing and operating it at the same time,” he emphasized.

According to the director general, there is demand for this haul truck in Latin America. The negotiations are now underway in Mexico. There is an agreement to supply two such vehicles to Russia. “We are now discussing the commercial details of the deal to supply our haul trucks. This haul truck has been a success. There is no doubt it will have a good future,” Piotr Parkhomchik noted.

Speaking about cooperation with Ukraine, he pointed out that this country has always been a strategic partner for BelAZ. The company has been doing well in the Ukrainian market during the past two years. “Virtually all Ukrainian mining companies started to invest in our equipment,” Piotr Parkhomchik added.

He stressed that there are plans to sign an agreement to supply five vehicles with a payload capacity of 136 tonnes to Ukraine with a large international company during the current visit. The contract is estimated at over $5 million. Piotr Parkhomchik is also set to seal some deals to expand the presence of BelAZ in other countries, including North American markets.