OREANDA-NEWS. March 22, 2011. Belarus plans to build a new confectionery plant in association with a foreign investor, Belgospischeprom concern chairman Ivan Danchenko told reporters.

The country has not selected an investor, he added. “We are in talks with Ukrainian Roshen, Finnish and German companies,” he said.

“Belarus is an attractive destination with excellent raw materials – sugar, milk and wheat. Cacao is a critical import; we are capable of dealing with the rest,” he said.

He added that Belarus planned to develop existing domestic producers. “Kommunarka and Spartak will increase their capacity at least 50%,” he said.

Belarus is also in talks with Chinese partners over the construction of citric acid plant and with German investors over the development of Slutsk fruit and vegetable factory.