Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 July (BelTA) – Jointly Belarus and Turkmenistan can occupy a big share of the world’s potash market, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Turkmenistan Oleg Tabanyukhov said in an interview to the Respublika newspaper. The interview has been published on the website of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BelTA has learned.

Belarus is taking part in the construction of the Garlyk mining and processing factory, an important project for Turkmenistan. It is planned that the construction of the factory will be completed in March 2017. “The first thing we should do is to look into the issue of joint sales of potash fertilizers. With our commodity distribution network and our experience in the sector we can jointly take a big share of the world market,” said Oleg Tabanyukhov.

The future plant will produce about 1.4 million tonnes concentrated fertilizers a year. Turkmenistan’s domestic needs total about 700,000 tonnes. The rest will be exported. “Perhaps Turkmenistan will need partners more experienced in potassium chloride sales,” the diplomat added.

Oleg Tabanyukhov also told the newspaper about the progress made in the construction of the Garlyk mining and processing factory. “We have already reached intermediate potash rocks. I believe that we will reach the main layer by September. As soon as we do it, new cooperation prospects will open for Belarus and Turkmenistan,” he said. Among such prospects Oleg Tabanyukhov named Belarus’ participation in the implementation of the Turkmenistan program on the construction of import-substituting companies.