MINSK, 29 August (BelTA) - The China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone was originally conceived as a center for attracting high-tech enterprises from around the world, and not merely as ordinary warehouse space, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview with China Media Group, BelTA has learned.
One of the questions addressed the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone. The head of state was asked what measures are planned to further enhance the attractiveness of this site and encourage enterprises from different countries to register there for operations.
“Great Stone is a significant part of my life and work,” the president noted. Speaking about the history of the park's establishment, he recalled that there were initially various options, including organizing some warehouses to store Chinese products for shipment to Europe and vice versa. However, Aleksandr Lukashenko had his own vision of what the joint project should be.
“Despite the fact that I understood that one shouldn't make rigid proposals and remarks to the Chinese, I took the risk to tell Xi Jinping: ‘Xi, we need more than just warehouse space. I am not against having goods here and transferring them from rail to road transport and vice versa, and sending them to the English Channel, to Europe. I am not against that, but there must be high-tech enterprises working here’,” the president emphasized.
According to him, the Chinese president supported this approach, and now there are enterprises with advanced technologies in the Great Stone Park, with investments already nearing $2 billion. The sanctions imposed on Belarus provided an additional impetus for the development of the park. For instance, Chinese companies began producing components for Belarus' automotive sector there (engines, transmissions, gearboxes).
Another feature of the park is that it is home not only to Belarusian or Chinese companies. This was also one of the proposals insisted upon by the president of Belarus. “I had to convince the Chinese that the Great Stone is not just about Chinese technologies; it’s open to everyone. Today, 15 countries are investing and have established enterprises there. The Chinese agreed and said: ‘Yes, we are open’. Germans express their interest. You are welcome. Americans are eager to join. Welcome. Russians, Belarusians are there. Come over. But there is one condition. You come there, bring high technologies. Otherwise, the benefits created there could pull all our enterprises there, both Belarusian and Russian. And there wouldn't be enough space then. The only condition is high technologies. Invest, create, develop. Here is a favorable regime for you,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized the significant role of China in the establishment and operation of the park. “The Chinese have done a lot. They funded and continue to fund the construction of some facilities, especially housing for those working there. For example, Smolevichi is being developed, and also others,” he said.
“We developed a good place together with Xi Jinping for your movement along the Belt and Road to Europe and back as well as cooperation with Belarus, Russia,” the president concluded. “It is a good path for China's development and is very beneficial for us.”
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