Business news

SMOLEVICHI DISTRICT, 13 April (BelTA) – Unmanned aerial vehicles and solar cells will be made in the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone. The relevant agreements with two new resident companies were signed in the park on 13 April in presence of Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov, BelTA has learned.

An Israeli resident company will build a factory to make solar cells in the park. Virtually 100% of the output will be exported to Switzerland and other European countries. The other new resident company SZAO Aviation Technologies and Complexes (a Belarusian-Chinese venture) will develop and make drones.

Thus, there are now 33 resident companies from eight countries in the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone. Their number is expected to reach at least 40 by the end of the year. The core business of the resident companies includes electronics, mechanical engineering, pharmaceutics, and new materials. One of the companies intends to implement a project relating to unmanned vehicles. Andrei Kobyakov noted that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and driverless vehicles hold a lot of promise. “Instead of one or two we need many more companies like that in the park,” believes the head of government.

On 13 April Andrei Kobyakov also went on a tour of China Merchants Group’s trade and logistics complex with its exhibition complex, warehouses, a business center, and a hotel. Sales of Belarusian food in China were discussed in the administrative building of the park together with Andrei Kobyakov.

Alexander Yaroshenko, Head of the Administration of the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone, told media that 20 resident companies will be busy doing construction work this year. At least ten companies are supposed to finish their facilities and start manufacturing products. “The park is interested in implementing major projects with serious financial support and in attracting companies with innovative high-tech business,” he explained. The infrastructure of the starting area, which occupies 354ha, will be fully ready this year. More than 70% of the territory is already occupied or booked by resident companies.

According to Alexander Yaroshenko, the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone should be home to at least 100 companies by 2020. Reaching the target is still on the agenda. Raising the investments to $1 billion by 2020 is another target. “I can say we will definitely surpass the figure because the declared volume of investments already exceeds $1 billion. For instance, China Merchants Group has declared a logistics hub worth $0.5 billion. Another resident company has declared $220 million in investment. This is why we will exceed the target twice or more. Plans have also been made to create an extra 6,500 jobs at least. In other words, the prospects look good. The project is moving on rather well. Certainly, we will have to put efforts into reaching the goals we’ve set,” said the official.