Belarusian agribusiness seeks to raise €23.5m into renewable energy in 2012
2012-10-08 18:09:34
Belarusian agricultural companies have plans to raise €23.5 million in investments into renewable energy facilities in 2012, First Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister of Belarus Leonid Marinich said at the 16th Belarusian-Polish Economic Forum Good Neighborliness on 8 October in Minsk, BelTA has learnt.
According to the official, investments into renewable energy made up €7 million in 2010 and €19 million in 2011. Taking into consideration that renewable energy is a profitable and promising industry, some €23.5 million is to be raised in 2012.
“Belarus is now performing trial operation of the 1.4 MW biogas installation in Nesvizh District using investments from Switzerland. Besides, a 2MW facility is being constructed in Kirov District, Minsk Oblast,” Leonid Marinich informed. He noted that the domestic agribusiness attaches great importance to raising investments into renewable energy.
He emphasized, “Belarus has a big, but still unused potential to attract foreign investments to construct eco-friendly facilities producing foodstuffs, to renovate and upgrade processing companies”.
In January-August 2012 the export of Belarusian agricultural products rose by 13% compared to the same period last year and was estimated at $3.2 billion. Animal products account for 72% of the export, plant products for 27%. “By the yearend, the export of agricultural products is expected to make up $4.85 billion or about 10% of Belarus’ total exports,” Leonid Marinich said.