Belarus is ready to significantly expand the production of tractors and elevators in Ukraine, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky said as he met with First Vice Premier of Ukraine Andriy Klyuyev, BelTA has learnt.

“We are ready to considerably increase the manufacture of tractors and elevators in Ukraine and start making other machines that are in demand on the Ukrainian market,” Sergei Sidorsky said.

He noted that the trade and economic relations between the two states are on the rise despite the financial crisis, and the growth of the bilateral trade is a testimony to that. In January-July 2010, the trade made up $2.2 billion, up 46.6% over the same period a year before. According to Sergei Sidorsky, “the growth rate is good”.

“We seek to restore the pre-crisis trade level between Belarus and Ukraine. We have all the preconditions for that,” he said. A reminder, in 2008, the bilateral trade stood at $4.9 billion.

Sergei Sidorsky informed that this year Belarus’ GDP is growing by 6-7% and everything is being done to increase the figure to 10%.

The Premier underlined that Belarus is interested not only in boosting its exports, but also in setting up enterprises abroad. “The enterprises we have built in Ukraine will be supported in terms of technology and localization,” he said.

Belarus and Ukraine used to have disputes related to mutual barriers against some products. Later a decision was made to resolve all the issues. Sergei Sidorsky believes it was the right decision. In his words, now the countries can freely discuss all trade and economic matters. The Belarusian Premier attaches a great significance to Belarus-Ukraine intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation to promote the economic relations.

First Vice Premier of Ukraine Andriy Klyuyev agrees that the two countries have exciting cooperation prospects not only in the fuel and energy complex, but also in machine-building, transport and other fields.

Ukraine is one of Belarus’ strategic trading partners. There are over 100 objects of the commodity distribution network in Ukraine advancing Belarusian products to the market.


BelTA