MINSK, 15 July (BelTA) – Belarus invites Spain to consider establishing joint ventures in the republic for the sake of processing vegetables and fruits, BelTA learned from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Spain Pavel Pustovoi. The ambassador is taking part in an annual seminar for heads of diplomatic missions and consular establishments.
Belarus and Spain have determined the main areas, in which they are mutually interested in cooperation. Light industry is one of them. “The Spanish are interested in Belarusian flax. We are checking the possibility of organizing the deliveries. Shipments have already been arranged for the Spanish concern Inditex Group (Zara and Bershka brands),” the ambassador said.
Public transport is another promising area. “The Spanish are concerned about ecology. First of all, they need environmentally friendly transport for big cities. This is why we are establishing contacts to promote Belkommunmash electric buses. If everything works out well, our representatives will come to specialized expos in the area of Catalonia in autumn in order to demonstrate capabilities of Belarusian vehicles,” Pavel Pustovoi noted.
Cooperation in IT services advances. Belarusian companies offer their software development and upgrade services to major Spanish corporations. Such projects may also be possible for municipal services in Spain in the future.
The sides are also considering the possibility of establishing joint ventures for processing vegetables and fruits. “We will try to encourage the Spanish to not only supply raw materials but process them together, to set up joint ventures in Belarus. In particular, joint ventures for producing olive oil, making tinned food, preserves based on Spanish fruits and vegetables,” the ambassador explained. Work continues to attract Spanish investments into modernization projects in the Belarusian oil processing industry.
Tourism is another promising area of cooperation. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili has visited Belarus this year. The UNWTO is headquartered in Madrid. The possibility of arranging an international event in Belarus in 2020 in the sphere of agroecotourism with the UNWTO's assistance is under consideration as well as sending Belarusian specialists to the UNWTO Secretariat for on-the-job training.
