Business news

MINSK, 17 December (BelTA) - Supplies of wooden houses is a driver of Belarus’ exports to France, Belarus’ Ambassador to France Pavel Latushko said in an interview to the Belarus 1 TV Channel, BelTA has learned.

In 2017, the growth of Belarusian exports to France made up 155%. This year witnesses good dynamics as well. Belarus supplies to France a total of 250 commodity items. Belarus mainly exports its potash and nitrogen fertilizers, but there is also an increase thanks to high value added products. “We are talking about the delivery of Belarusian houses. This is a driver of growth. In January-September 2017, Belarus exported to the French market $16 million worth of woodworking products In January-September 2018 this figure exceeded $17 million. These are not only houses but also furniture, kitchens. Thanks to the signing of an agreement to deliver Belarusian houses, we will soon sign a document to supply Belarusian tiles to the French market. Belarus also supplies to France metal cord, vegetables and fruits, chanterelles,” he said.

Speaking about a large number of Belarusian cultural events held in France in recent years, the diplomat said that they were visited by more than 100,000 residents of the country. According to him, culture helps fit the gaps, expand information about Belarus. Businessmen get more interested in the country and are ready to visit it to develop economic ties.

When asked to comment on Belarus’ new visa rules, Pavel Latushko said that the flow of both French and Spanish tourists, as well as representatives of other European countries to Belarus has increased. “It is important to continue the steps aimed at further liberalization of the entry to Belarus for foreign citizens. Here, it is important to think about simplifying the registration procedure, and the possibility of obtaining multiple entry visas, and the possibility of getting an electronic visa in the future. We are talking over these issues with the World Tourism Organization. Belarus is a member of the organization,” he said.

As BelTA reported earlier, a residential area of Belarusian wooden houses was opened in the French city of Villerupt in Lorraine. The wooden houses were manufactured by the Domostroenie branch of the Shklov Newsprint Plant. In Lorraine, 71 residential houses have already been built using Belarusian materials. There are plans to increase the construction to 132 houses by the end of 2019. Belarus is mulling over a contract with a French company on the supply of Belarusian tiles to France.