Business news

GOMEL, 27 January (BelTA) – The Belarusian manufacturer of agricultural machines Gomselmash has plans to ship first samples of agricultural machinery to Germany, South Africa, and Egypt in 2016, BelTA learned from head of the sales department at the enterprise Yuri Rafeyev.

Yuri Rafeyev said that the list of partner companies that will help sell Gomselmash products in the enumerated countries has already been compiled. Exchange of technical information has been established, logistical matters are being discussed. “Promotion of farm machines to the markets of non-CIS countries is one of the most important areas of the company’s foreign economic activity. For instance, last year we supplied the first consignment of grain harvesters to Spain and Hungary, and Polesye vehicles to Turkey, Pakistan, Thailand, and some other countries,” Yuri Rafeyev noted.

He stressed that it is difficult to enter foreign markets of agricultural machinery, since the purchase of complex and expensive machines is often subsidized by the government. Therefore, there are many restrictions, additional tariffs, and other nontariff barriers on the import of such machines. The best way to overcome these barriers is to set up joint ventures on the territory of a particular country. “This is why the shipment of the product samples and their testing will be followed by negotiations on setting up a joint enterprise,” Yuri Rafeyev explained.

Naturally, the implementation of such plans requires time. However, as they say, the game is worth the candle, as it means a lot to have a reliable partner abroad. “China is a good example of this. We started with assembling corn cob harvesters. Later we started to produce different models of this harvester. Last year we began to manufacture grain harvester KZS-2-1218, shipped the first consignment of KZS-812 machines, and tested potato harvester KPB-260-4. This means that we have great cooperation prospects,” Yuri Rafeyev emphasized.