Business news

MINSK, 28 June (BelTA) – Belarus-made agricultural machines traditionally sell well in Lithuania. Ambassador of Belarus to Lithuania Alexander Korol made the relevant statement in an interview with the Litovsky Kuryer newspaper, BelTA has learned.

The diplomat said: “About 700 tractors were sold in Lithuania last year alone. Lithuanian farmers unwaveringly prefer Belarusian machines. The Belarusian tractor maker MTZ has a representative office in Lithuania.”

Alexander Korol is convinced that when the European Union reduces funding for buying agricultural machines in the future, frugal and cost-conscious farmers and business owners will direct their attention to quality and affordable Belarusian machines and, certainly, Belarusian tractor brands.

In his words, Belarus-Lithuania trade has been on the rise for the last five years. In 2017 Belarus’ export to Lithuania rose by more than 10% to $850 million. Belarus’ export to Lithuania rose by 52.8% in January-May 2018. “It means that the Lithuanian market is attractive for Belarusian exports. I can say the same about Lithuanian products in Belarus: Lithuanian export steadily rises – 20% up in 2017. The same rate was registered in January-April 2018,” continued the ambassador.

Alexander Korol drew attention to growing freight turnover and the volume of cargoes transshipped via the Klaipeda port. “Last year we set a record of 14.5 million tonnes of freight. Virtually all the nitrogen and potash fertilizers were shipped via the Klaipeda port, over 10 million tonnes in total. The volume of freight transported by rail increased. There is no doubt that the vigorous cooperation of our main exporters with the management of the Klaipeda port, stevedore companies, which load and unload vessels, and Lithuanian Railways has helped achieve these high figures,” stressed Alexander Korol.