MEETING OF BELARUS-MOSCOW BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL

Belarus-Moscow trade may increase 1.5 times in 2007, Sergei Sidorsky says

Over 40 companies of Belarus take part in the exhibition Belarusian Quality 2007 that opened in Moscow on November 20.

Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky noted at the opening ceremony of the exposition that the Russian capital is supplied with Belarusian high quality products.

The exhibition presents the producers from all Belarusian oblasts. Among them are meat-packing plants, distilleries, manufacturers of carpets, footwear, TV sets and medical equipment. The exhibition also displays a wide assortment of goods for young people.

On November 20 Sergei Sidorsky met with Mayor of the Russian capital Yuri Luzhkov to consider cooperation guidelines in 2008.

Belarusian goods are highly competitive in Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov says

Belarusian goods are highly competitive on the Moscow market, Mayor of the Russian capital Yuri Luzhkov stated during the opening ceremony of the Belarusian Quality 2007 exhibition.

He has noted that Muscovites attach great importance to quality when they choose what to buy. “Not only numerous certificates but also Muscovites’ choice testify to high quality of Belarusian goods. We see that Belarusian products are very competitive on the Moscow market,” Yuri Luzhkov said.

On November 20, during a meeting between Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov an agreement was reached that Belarus should aim at something more than just showcasing its assortment range. “It is necessary to win the market, to turn from retail to wholesale trade. For this purpose a large wholesale center is being set up in Moscow to deal in Belarusian goods,” the Moscow Mayor said. According to him, this will boost the trade relations between Belarus and Moscow.

Belarus-Moscow trade may increase 1.5 times in 2007, Sergei Sidorsky says

In 2007, the trade turnover between Belarus and Moscow may increase 1.5 times as against 2006, Belarusian Premier Sergei Sidorsky noted during the opening of a session of the Business Cooperation Council of Belarus in Moscow in the Russian capital on November 20.

In January-September 2007, the trade turnover between Belarus and Moscow made up $3039.7 million, or 15.7% up (by $413 million) on the same period last year. In the period under review, Moscow accounted for 15.3% of Belarus-Russia trade. Exports totaled $1947.9 million, or 16.9% up (by 282 million), imports - $1091.9 million, or 13.7% up (by $131 million). Belarus had a surplus in trade with Moscow to the tune of $856 million.

According to Sergei Sidorsky, the far-flung commodity distribution network, various exhibitions and fairs in Moscow and Belarus have helped the two sides boost supplies and expand the range of Belarusian goods on the Moscow market and Moscow goods on the Belarusian market. So far this year Belarus has not reached last year’s rates of supplies of Belarusian foodstuffs to the Moscow market, the Premier noted.

According to the Premier, the reason of the underrun was a delayed certification of Belarusian dairies by Russia’s Federal Service of Agricultural Supervision

(Rosselkhoznadzor). As of today all the Belarusian companies have been already certified. Sergei Sidorsky is sure that in the near future exports of Belarusian foodstuffs to Moscow will be stepped up.

According to him, the sides have agreed the supplies of Belarusian foodstuffs and construction materials to Moscow in 2008.

Russian company Nutritek wants to inject $25 million into upgrade of Volkovysk-based Bellakt Co.

Russian company Nutritek, which was visited by Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky on November 20, offers to inject $25 million into the technical upgrade of the Volkovysk-based Bellakt Co. The statement to this effect was made by Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nutritek Group Georgy Sazhenov.

“We are ready to take part in the project aimed at modernizing the Volkovysk baby food plant. And we would like this facility to become a structural unit of the Nutritek Group,” the top manger noted. When explaining why his company chose Bellakt Georgy Sazhenov said: “We know this facility well and are satisfied with the quality of raw materials it processes.”

The Russian company is ready to invest $25 million in the project. Moreover, Bellakt may make use of all up-to-date engineering developments of the Nutritek Group.

According to Georgy Sazhenov, his company may launch a baby multi-ingredient puree production line in Belarus, lines to produce special products and liquid paste-like baby food. The foodstuffs are expected to be supplied to the market of South-Eastern Asia.

Nutritek is ready to carry out the project within a year, said Georgy Sazhenov.

The Nutritek Group is one of the leading producers of dairy products and the market leading producer of baby foods in Russia. The Group is the only Russian producer of special BMS and clinical nutrition products. Founded in 1990, the Group comprises 14 food production and agricultural facilities in Russia, Ukraine and Estonia. The Group operates two logistics centres and two agricultural holdings. The total processing capacity of the Group’s facilities is over 2,900 tonnes of raw milk per day. The Group has a representative office in Singapore to provide marketing support for the Group’s expansion into the markets in China and in Southeast Asian, African and Middle East countries.

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