MINSK, 1 July (BelTA) – The Ministry of Economic Development, Investments, Tourism, and External Relations of Russia's Orenburg Oblast has expressed interest in developing exchange trade with Belarus. Among other things plans have been made to sell Orenburg cast iron and flat roll products in Belarus. Products made by processing oil-bearing crops will be sold to third countries via transit deals, BelTA learned from Press Secretary of the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange (BUCE) Roman Yaniv.
As he opened a webinar organized by the BUCE and the Orenburg Oblast Export Support Center, Aleksei Zverev, a representative of the Orenburg Oblast Ministry of Economic Development, Investments, Tourism, and External Relations, said: “This year we have to expand and deepen trade and economic cooperation with Belarus. We see interaction with the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange as a promising area. The BUCE has already earned a reputation as an effective tool for promoting Russian goods onto the Belarusian market. We would like to use the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange to increase mutual trade.”
Heads of about 20 Orenburg Oblast companies, which intend to sell their products to Belarus and to third countries via the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange, took part in the webinar. A presentation of the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange's key capabilities and experience of organizing exchange trade with various Russian regions took place. The most promising kinds of commodities Orenburg Oblast may sell were discussed.
Head of the BUCE's International Relations and Communications Department Aleksandr Bashly said: “As far as I know, non-resource and non-energy goods prevail in the structure of Orenburg Oblast's export. We are particularly interested in metal products, primarily cast iron and flat rolled products. Both kinds of commodities enjoy a strong demand among Belarusian buyers, this is why bids for selling Orenburg Oblast goods will not be left unattended. As for transit deals, we are ready to help the Orenburg Oblast companies that process oil-bearing crops to penetrate the markets of China, Switzerland, and Baltic states. Back in the day we worked quite hard to open these markets but now we reap the rewards. So far this year the export of Belarusian colza oil and oil cakes has exceeded $36 million.”
The public joint-stock company (OAO) Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange was established in 2004. The first trade sessions took place in June 2005. BUCE is one of the largest mercantile exchanges in Eastern Europe. Its key function is to assist Belarusian companies with exporting their products and assist foreign companies with entering the Belarusian market. The commodity exchange facilitates trade in metals, timber, agricultural products, and a broad choice of industrial and consumer goods.
