BREST, 16 March (BelTA) – Chinese investors are taking a close interest in two agricultural enterprises in Brest Oblast. The relevant matters were discussed during the meeting of representatives of the Brest Oblast administration and the delegation of China's Gansu Province on 16 March, BelTA has learned.
The agricultural enterprises SPK Oktyabr-Agro and OAO Borovitsa in Ivanovo District may be bought by Chinese investors. “We hope that by using state-of-the-art technology and material resources we will be able to improve quality, increase the output and distribution channels. In particular, we will export the merchandise to China later on,” said Yang Liping, head of the Chinese delegation, Head of the Foreign Economic Ties Office of the Gansu Province government. In her words, the volume of investments will depend on the selling price for the two Belarusian agricultural enterprises.
Information that the two agricultural enterprises can be sold was available on the official website of the Ivanovo District Executive Committee. After learning about it, Yang Liping visited Ivanovo District in December 2015. But this time along with representatives of government agencies the Chinese delegation also includes representatives of the private sector and Bank of Lanzhou. For the sake of studying the matters in detail the Chinese delegation will go to Ivanovo District on 17 March.
First Deputy Chairman of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee Nikolai Tokar noted, the two agricultural enterprises could use investments for the sake of their rehabilitation. “Naturally the sale will have to be authorized by the head of state. We have no intention of simply selling them. We would like to preserve the current number of jobs, to increase the output, and explore new business avenues if possible. This is why if the Chinese side is ready, we will negotiate,” said the official. In his words, the initial price for the main assets of the agricultural enterprise SPK Oktyabr-Agro that employs about 200 people is set at Br68 billion.
The official also noted that agricultural enterprises have been sold in the past. For instance, a Russian-Turkish company runs the agricultural enterprise SPK Lipnyanka on trust management terms. The investors intend to ship 2,000 heads of cattle to the enterprise, build a greenhouse division, and start a sewing business in the countryside. “We need such investors and will only welcome them. Land will be available on lease terms only,” stressed Nikolai Tokar.
The Belarusian and Chinese sides also discussed other promising avenues of cooperation during the meeting at premises of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee.
More about EconomyBack to list
