OREANDA-NEWS. October 11, 2011. Twelve plants to assemble Belarusian equipment has been opened in Kazakhstan in 2010-2011, Belarus Vice Premier Valery Ivanov told a briefing during the 8th session of the intergovernmental Belarus-Kazakhstan commission for trade and economic cooperation in Gomel.

Valery Ivanov praised the implementation of the roadmap, a bilateral program for trade and economic cooperation slated for completion in 2016. Over the last two years, 12 assembling plants of Belarusian equipment have been opened in Kazakhstan. Four more will be commissioned this year. The plants assemble Belarusian dump and mine trucks, tractors, combine harvesters, engines, balers, lifts, many more.

In general, from 2005 to 2010 the trade between Belarus and Kazakhstan increased more than 4 times from USD 215 million to USD 870 million. Positive trend persists this year, too.

Valery Ivanov reported that the meeting approved the activities under the Road Map program for the next two years. It includes cooperation in such areas as industrial cooperation, mutual supply of goods and services, agriculture, energy, investment, small and medium-sized business, education and culture, sport and tourism. The sides are set to expand the existing assembly facilities. For example, production of tractors in Kazakhstan will be increased to 1,500 in 2012; new joint projects will be launched.

As an immediate strategic objective the Vice Premier outlined the need to maximize the use of raw materials, production, scientific and technological, educational and other resources of the partner states. Valery Ivanov expressed confidence that successful cooperation will contribute to the Single Economic Space, which will start operating on 1 January 2012.

Kazakh businessmen are studying the possibility to open logistics centers in Belarus, Vladimir Bozhko, Emergencies Minister of Kazakhstan, co-chairman of the Belarus-Kazakhstan commission for trade and economic cooperation, told a briefing in Gomel.

Kazakhstan is keen to set up assemblies of Belarusian equipment on its territory and open joint ventures in Belarus. Geographic position of the country helps create transport and logistics centers, which are of interest for Kazakh businessmen, Vladimir Bozhko said. He added that the two countries may cooperate in petrochemistry, particularly, in the refining of raw materials. Kazakhstan is also interested in Belarus’ agricultural equipment.

The session of the Belarus-Kazakhstan commission for trade and economic cooperation focused on the assembly of machinery, grain-drying complexes in Kazakhstan. In order to provide Kazakh agribusiness with Belarusian equipment, the parties may set up a joint venture, KazBel Leasing. Another promising project to establish the Belarus-Kazakhstan industrial park of agricultural and household equipment is under development. The parties also decided that it is necessary to study Kazakhstan’s demand for Belarusian forestry machines and launch the export of this equipment to Kazakhstan.

Kazakh businessmen are interested in the privatization of Belarusian enterprises, Vladimir Bozhko told reporters.

According to him, Belarus is an industrial country with a big potential. The country is attractive for Kazakh businessmen. The session of the Belarus-Kazakhstan commission focused on the participation of Kazakh companies in the privatization of some Belarusian companies.

60 Belarusian and Kazakh companies will take part in the business matchmaking session in Gomel.

Business circles of Kazakhstan are represented by machinery builders and other companies. On Belarus’ behalf, the forum will be attended by manufacturers of agricultural equipment, representatives of forestry, food, processing and other industries. Kazakh businessmen will attend the exhibition of Belarusian products, negotiate with potential partners and agree on further cooperation.