MINSK, 17 January (BelTA) – In 2019 Belarus intends to start shipping vehicles, machines, and equipment to Zimbabwe as part of previously signed contracts and is also working to secure new deals, BelTA learned from Belarusian Industry Minister Pavel Utyupin.
The official said: “Contracts have been signed. Tractors, sowing machines, MAZ products such as tractor units and semitrailers are supposed to be shipped this year. Additional contracts on tractors, BelAZ vehicles are in the pipeline. The negotiations are over. Contracts have been signed. Financial relations are being established now. I hope shipments will proceed in line with the contracts.”
Pavel Utyupin specified that various matters concerning the use of export incentives and financial support for deals are being handled now.
Pavel Utyupin described the market of Zimbabwe as a promising one in many aspects, although one cannot say that Belarus has just started exploring it. “Belarusian haul trucks and loaders were shipped [to Zimbabwe] with assistance of the Industry Ministry in 2014. Rather good deals to deliver haul trucks of a lower carrying capacity were sealed in 2017,” he explained.
The industry minister noted that Zimbabwe boasts rich natural resources such as coal, diamonds, and other extractable resources. This is why it needs machines and vehicles made in Belarus. “We offer quality vehicles and aftersales service. Customers respond to it well. Another deal to ship 130-tonne haul trucks is in the pipeline now,” stated Pavel Utyupin.
As for agricultural machines, the industry minister stated that the relevant shipments were finished in 2008. “We couldn't deliver due to various reasons. The contracts signed last year represent in essence the beginning of our getting a stronger grip on the market in order to provide for agriculture, for which the natural and climatic conditions are very favorable. The shipments of machines and vehicles will benefit not only the Belarusian side. The agriculture of Zimbabwe will be able to get better considerably thanks to them,” said the official.
Asked whether joint assembly enterprises may be established in Zimbabwe, Pavel Utyupin did not rule out such a possibility, but made it clear that it may happen only if such projects are beneficial for both sides from the economic point of view. The industry minister also saw no problems with logistics in delivering Belarusian products. “We just have to correctly structure the deals. There are no closed countries, there are only incorrectly structured deals. It depends on skills of Industry Ministry specialists and business partners on the other side,” he added.
Belarus-Zimbabwe contacts were considerably invigorated and positive results were achieved in 2015. Personal attention of the Zimbabwe president helped facilitate the delivery of BelAZ haul trucks to the country. Potash fertilizers and spare parts for automobiles represent the core of Belarus' export to Zimbabwe now. Belarus imports mineral raw materials as well as citrus fruits and vegetables in inconsiderable amounts. In 2018 the Belarusian mechanical engineering company Amkodor contracted to deliver 40 vehicles and spare parts worth nearly $4.5 million to Zimbabwe with financial support of the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. The banks have yet to sign the contract. The Belarusian automaker BelAZ in association with Sohra Company is working on delivering a batch of six dump trucks and two loaders. Since the end consumer lacks funds, the sides are discussing a way to finance the deal. The Belarusian agricultural company Agrokombinat Machulishchi is interested in setting up an enterprise to make and process meat and milk. The relevant proposal has been sent to the Zimbabwean side. If the contract is signed, the project's cost will exceed $26 million.
