Industrial producers from Tatarstan are interested in purchasing Belarusian machine-tool equipment. This subject was discussed at a meeting between Belarusian Industry Minister Dmitry Katerinich and Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Trade and Industry of Tatarstan Ravil Zaripov in Minsk on 8 April, BelTA learnt from spokesman for the Industry Ministry Sergei Shalai.

The meeting was attended by representatives of industrial enterprises of Tatarstan and Belarus, who maintain contacts and who have plans for joint cooperation. Thus, the parties intend to establish lasting contacts in machine building. “Tatarstan is retooling the industrial facilities. Therefore they are interested in establishing direct contacts with Belarusian machine tool builders. They take into account good traditions in machine tool building in Belarus, our design capabilities and willingness to work,” Sergei Shalai said. A program of engineering and petrochemistry industries development is currently underway in Tatarstan. Construction of new factories is in progress, and they need high-performance equipment, he added.

According to Industry Minister Dmitry Katerinich, the Belarusian side is ready to consider the issues regarding integration in the machine tool industry through the sale of equity stakes or setting up joint companies. The minister stressed that with Russia’s WTO entry the market competition becomes tougher for Belarusian companies. Belarusian mechanical engineers are working through the opportunities to advance their exports to Russia. The Republic of Tatarstan is an important and promising region for cooperation.

While in Minsk the guests are expected to visit OAO MZOR – Belstankoinstrument Management Holding Company.

According to the Industry Ministry, the trade in industrial goods between Belarus and Tatarstan totaled $296.1 million in 2012. Exports made up $238.3 million. Belarus had a $180.5 million in trade surplus. Last year Minsk Tractor Works supplied $126.4 million worth of products to Tatarstan, accounting for 53% of the total exports of the Belarusian Industry Ministry to this Russian region. MTZ has its trading house in Yelabuga – MTZ-YelAZ, an assembly plant for Belarus tractors. Over 10% of the total exports were the supplies of OAO MAZ and Borisov-based Plant Avtogidrousilitel. In 2012 Tatarstan imported products of Atlant, BMZ, Minsk Motor Plant, Minsk Mechanical Plant n.a. S.I.Vavilov, Mogilevliftmash, Lidselmash, Bobruiskagromash, Minsk Electrotechnical Plant n.a. Kozlov, Amkodor.