Bashkortostan and Belarus agreed to set up joint holding companies in the chemical and glass industries and also in the machine tool building, Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich told media on 14 June after the talks with President of the Republic of Bashkortostan of the Russian Federation Rustem Khamitov.

During the negotiations the sides discussed promising projects to be implemented in the next 3 to 5 years or in a more distant future. For example, Bashkortostan and Belarus agreed to promote cooperation in the chemical industry. Bashkortostan is home to the well-performing chemical industry, develops state-of-the-art technology and products which are in demand in Belarus. “The President of Bashkortostan invited Belarus to participate in the projects to set up chemical and oil-and-gas holding companies which they will implement in the near future. We will consider Belarus’ participation in such projects both in the capacity of an investor and as an active partner,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said. Bashkortostan is interested in participating in the projects of the chemical industry in Belarus.

The sides agreed on cooperation in agriculture, for example, in flax growing, and in the development of grain production machines. In addition, in the next one to two years Bashkortostan will build up seed plants with the participation of Belarus.

Another priority for cooperation is the glass industry. The sides are planning to consider the establishment of a joint holding company which will cater to domestic and foreign markets. “By establishing a joint holding company, as we agreed, we will be able to make considerable progress and not to compete with each other both on the domestic market and on markets of third countries,” said the Prime Minister. In his view, the sides have all the opportunities to create a holding company in the machine tool building as well.

Mikhail Myasnikovich also said that during the negotiations, the sides agreed on joint approaches to building a soda ash plant in Belarus with the capacity of 300,000 tonnes. This is a new area for Belarus and Bashkortostan is prepared to provide engineering support at the first stage of the project.

The head of government stressed the need to promote cooperation at the regional level. Here the projects to develop agro-towns, dairy farms might prove interesting.

The sides also discussed the issues of cooperation in the dairy market. "We are strong players in this market and we can coordinate our actions, to work for one goal and make a profit,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich.

Many of the projects discussed during the negotiations may be launched this year.
 

Belta