MINSK, 17 September (BelTA) – The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) plans to draw up a map of industries to help use production resources of the EAEU member states more efficiently, Member of the Board (Minister) for Industry and Agribusiness Complex of the EEC Aleksandr Subbotin told journalists on the sidelines of the Belarusian Industrial and Investment Forum on 17 September, BelTA has learned.
“We are beginning a transition from import substitution to export to third countries. This is a conceptual strategic objective. In order to avoid duplication of similar enterprises, we should map the EAEU industries. We have already set to work on it,” Aleksandr Subbotin said.
The document is expected to be prepared within 1-1.5 years.
According to Aleksandr Subbotin, the EAEU member states should pursue a common industrial policy to do away with “silly competition” among each other and ensure a more even distribution of goods across the EAEU territory, as some regions report overproduction of some goods while others report deficit. “All the ministers have agreed to draw up the industry map in order to see which regions have capacity, which ones can increase it more effectively. We could, for example, produce wheels in one place, batteries or engines in another one, and so on. After that we will use the map to decide where to set up large assembly plants,” he added.
Aleksandr Subbotin noted that although the EAEU is a young organization, it has achieved a lot in industry and agriculture. Harmonization of the legal framework in this area has been almost completed, some functions have been delegated to supranational bodies. “However, there still remain some issues concerning standardization and we are settling them,” Aleksandr Subbotin said.
