Business news

VITEBSK, 23 August (BelTA) – A project to build social housing with the technical and economic assistance of the People’s Republic of China got under way in Vitebsk on 23 August, BelTA has learned.

Vitebsk played host to an official groundbreaking ceremony for the country’s first social apartment house. The housing will be constructed by Belarusian builders with the use of domestic building materials and China’s grant assistance. The 10-storied residential building for 120 apartments will be constructed in the Bilevo 3 neighborhood. Belarus is set to implement a series of social housing projects with the technical and economic assistance of the People’s Republic of China. The first phase of the project includes the construction of 16 houses in different regions of Belarus for about 1,400 families. It was noted at the ceremony that the start to this large-scale social project was preceded by big preparatory work from the government bodies of the two countries. Joint construction of social housing will be another milestone in the development of friendship between Belarus and China.

Attending the groundbreaking ceremony was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Belarus Cui Qiming and Vitebsk Oblast Vice Governor Vladimir Belous. They left their autographs on the first block in the foundation of the new house. The building is slated for commissioning in February 2017.