Business news

MINSK, 14 July (BelTA) - The first container train arrived in Minsk from Chongqing. A welcoming ceremony was held at the Kolyadichi terminal of the state enterprise Belintertrans – Transport-Logistics Center (BTLC) of Belarusian Railways on 14 July, BelTA has learned.

The arrival of the first train from Chongqing, according to Minsk Oblast Governor Anatoly Isachenko, is of great importance for Minsk Oblast. “Today's event marks the start of a long journey in terms of new joint projects, which will increase the economic potential of our regions,” he said.

Chongqing Mayor Tang Liangzhi also highlighted the importance of the arrival of the first container train from Chongqing. “The Belarusian-Chinese cooperation has been developing very rapidly in recent years. Chongqing and Minsk are important cities in the Belt and Road initiative. Direct communication between them creates new opportunities in trade, economy and humanitarian affairs. Moreover, the opening of the route not only serves as an important impetus to progress in logistics and economy. It will also contribute to the strengthening of friendship between our peoples,” he said.

The arrival of the first train from Chongqing to give new impetus to the Belarusian-Chinese trade and economic relations, said Deputy Head of the Belarusian Railways Vladimir Balakhonov. To date, certain results have been achieved. For example, Chongqing accounts for about 20% of all rail transport between China and Europe. Over 20,000 containers have been transported in January-May 2018.

Vladimir Balakhonov said that the Belarusian Railways has been working to turn Kolyadichi into a transport and logistics hub. “This center is designed to consolidate cargoes from China bound to European countries and to dispatch Belarusian export goods in container trains to China,” he noted.