MINSK, 6 June (BelTA) – French companies are interested in the implementation of joint agricultural projects in Minsk Oblast, they are looking for Belarusian partners, Racheline Levi, head of the French delegation, head of the association for the development of international exchanges of agro-food products and techniques (ADEPTA), said at the meeting in the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee, BelTA has learned. French companies are ready to deliver equipment to agricultural companies and refineries of Minsk Oblast, cooperate in animal breeding. They presented French products at the Belagro exhibition. According to Racheline Levi, there are many cooperation avenues, the French businessmen are eager to set up joint companies in Belarus. They visited Snov Agricultural Company, Slutsk Cheese-Making Plant. “The delegation includes companies which already cooperate with your country, there are companies which visit Belarus for the first time. Both France and Belarus encourage agricultural industry. There are opportunities to develop relations, particularly, in animal breeding, dairy cattle breeding,” Racheline Levi said. Deputy Chairman of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee Alexander Yermak informed foreign guests on the development of the region and its agricultural capacity. Minsk Oblast is interested in implementing mutually beneficial projects, boosting export to France. Unfortunately, the increase of import still exceeds the increase of export. In 2010 bilateral trade between Minsk oblast and France went up 25.9% as against 2009 to the total of $79.3 million, in January-April bilateral trade soared by 37.6% to $30.8 million. In 2010 the export of goods made up $13.6 million (95.3%), import made up $65.7 million (134.8%). Belarus posted $52.1 million in trade deficit. In January-April the export made up $3.2 million (81.8%), the import made up $27.6 million (149.7%) with a $24.4 million trade deficit for Belarus. In January-April the export of furniture to France decreased by 14.9% to $2.5 million, the export of caseine made up $344,800. The export of canned vegetables increased 8.9 times to $185,100. Top exporters were Minsk Furniture Center (Molodechno District), Slutsk Cheese-Making Plant. The import of insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides from France went up 2.5 times to the total of $4.1 million. The import of seeds made up almost $3 million, the import of garden and forestry equipment went up 37% to $2.4 million. ADEPTA operates over 230 enterprises dealing with the production of agricultural equipment, livestock breeding, veterinary medicines, corn and sorghum seeds. БЕЛТА
Written by belta.by
