Business news

IVATSEVICHI, 2 June (BelTA) – The Turkish woodworking holding company Kastamonu sees good prospects for cooperation with enterprises of the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom. The relevant statement was made by Kastamonu Vice President Onur Guven as a delegation of the Turkish company visited the woodworking company Ivatsevichdrev on 2 June, BelTA has learned.

The Kastamonu Vice President said: “We know that there are good opportunities for investment in Belarus, in the woodworking industry and the production of wood panels. We have come here to discuss our cooperation options. I think it will be the right strategy for us.”

The holding company Kastamonu is one of Europe’s top five woodworking companies. Kastamonu specializes in making medium-density fiberboards, chipboards, laminated flooring, wood panels, door skins and worktops. The annual output stands at 4.5 million m3 of wood boards. The annual turnover of the holding company is estimated at $1.4 billion. Apart from Turkey the company has factories in Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Russia.

It is the first time representatives of the Turkish company have come to Belarus. The delegation includes experienced technical specialists. The fact testifies to serious intentions on the part of the company’s management, noted the head of the delegation. Within three days the delegation visited virtually all the retooled factories of the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom.

Onur Guven said: “Serious and successful investments have been poured into the industry. We congratulate you on that because we understand how difficult it is. Those, who work in this industry now, have 40 years of experience of working on the market. It is difficult to compete with them. We see your accomplishments.”

During the tour of Ivatsevichdrev the Turkish delegation saw manufacturing facilities and sites. Ivatsevichdrev was one of the first enterprises to retool its manufacturing facilities and is now a leading producer of laminated particleboards. Ivatsevichdrev Director General Vladimir Shulga noted that last year the company made 276,000m3 of particleboards. Plans have been made to increase the output by 20% this year. Ivatsevichdrev has potential for developing furniture production. The construction of a wood pellet factory is under consideration. There can be various ways of manufacturing cooperation with the Turkish company.

The Ivatsevichdrev Director General said: “It is a good company with a good track record and strong enterprises. How can we benefit each other? I think we can handle chipboard production on our own. We would like to consider joint sales on the markets they are working in. They have more experience in this regard. As a matter of principle, we would love to establish strategic cooperation with the Turkish company. There are various options.”

The head of the Turkish delegation concluded: “We have come to like both the country and its people. This is why I believe that we will pool our resources and good projects will emerge to benefit both sides.”

While in Ivatsevichi the Turkish delegation met with Bellesbumprom Chairman Yuri Nazarov. Official talks between top executives of Bellesbumprom and Kastamonu will take place in Minsk on 3 June.