Belarus and Russia have two key issues left to address to create Soyuzkali Company, First Vice Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko told media on 28 August.

In his words, Belarus and Russia have come to an understanding regarding the main aspects. Now only two key issues are left to address. The first one is the ratio of how much Belaruskali can export and how much Uralkali can export. The second one is what formula should be used to set prices for potash fertilizers.

Vladimir Semashko is convinced that the decision that Belarus and Russia should sell potash fertilizers on foreign markets via a single company was the right one. In his words, in its time the decision to set up Belarusian Potash Company was right and at present the company does well. Belarus used to export $762 million worth of potash fertilizers before the company was founded. In recent years the export has reached $3-3.5 billion. The First Vice Premier said that Belarusian Potash Company is the first major real Belarusian-Russian integration project.

First Vice Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko believes that the new body – Soyuzkali – is in essence the same structure that BPC is but at a higher level. Founding documents to set up Soyuzkali have been prepared. Only the two major issues are left to handle: the pricing policy and the ratio of export sales of Belaruskali and Uralkali. Vladimir Semashkop said that the sides were arguing about 0.5-1% in foreign sales of Belaruskali and Uralkali. He is convinced that it is necessary to preserve a single Belarusian-Russian company that will export potash fertilizers.

The Belarusian side plans to discuss the remaining points at issue at a government session on 29 August, at a session of the Council of Ministers Presidium on 30 August. Proposals will be submitted to the President of Belarus by 1 September.
 

Belta