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09 October 2019, 13:35

Belarus eager to step up presence on Turkmenistan market

ASHGABAT, 9 October (BelTA) – Belarus intends to step up presence on the market of Turkmenistan, BelTA learned from Ambassador of Belarus to Turkmenistan Vyacheslav Beskosty in Ashgabat on 9 October.

According to the diplomat, in January-August 2019 Belarus-Turkmenistan trade totaled $15.4 million, with Belarus' export at $10.6 million. “It was 73% of last year's level. Indeed, the trade turnover continues falling. But despite the urgency of the situation it is still decent. Our exports enjoy considerable demand on the market of Turkmenistan,” the ambassador said.

According to the source, Belarus' exports to Turkmenistan include medications, food, and ethyl alcohol. They are sold not only via the existing Belarusian trading house in Ashgabat but also via other direct contracts with importers from Turkmenistan.

Belarus-Turkmenistan trade turnover was at its highest in 2013 -- $319 million, however, in 2018 the figure dropped to $32.2 million. The ambassador explained that the previous high figures owed a lot to the project to build the Garlyk mining and processing factory. A lot was imported from Belarus to Turkmenistan as part of the project. Bilateral trade turnover shrank as the project was drawing to its end and due to the differences of opinion that emerged between Belarus and Turkmenistan in the course of implementing the project.

However, the sides are working on increasing and balancing the trade turnover, in which Belarus manages to secure a surplus one way or another. For instance, Belarus imports goods related to cotton, which Turkmenistan prides itself on. A Turkmen trading house operates in the Belarusian capital.

The embassy is also ready to consider proposals on importing Turkmen products and is also working to export more Belarusian products to Turkmenistan. Apart from the abovementioned goods there is a strong demand for MAZ trucks and tractors. “Virtually the other day I visited a Turkmen company, which had built a very respectable center that will specialize in maintenance and repairs of Belarusian machines and vehicles. Virtually the entire lineup of agricultural machines and trucks will be represented there. A showroom, aftersales service, a warehouse for spares – it will have everything. This center will become a foothold for promoting Industry Ministry products in Turkmenistan,” the diplomat said.

That company estimates that about 10,000 MAZ vehicles are in use in Turkmenistan alone. Naturally they need maintenance and repairs from time to time. “This is why the scope of work is very extensive in this direction,” the ambassador is convinced.

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