Belarus to build auto assembly plant in Vietnam

Belarus would develop an automobile production and assembly plant and an engine manufacturing factory for agricultural machines in Vietnam, said Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich.

The dignitary made the announcement on Thursday at the Vietnam-Belarus business forum held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in HCMC, on the occasion of the Belarusian delegation’s three-day visit to Vietnam from Tuesday.

Though no detail was given at the event, the Vietnam-Belarus communiqué issued on Wednesday revealed the specific information on the future projects.

Particularly, an engine factory would be established with the participation of Minsk Motor Plant Open Joint Stock Company of Belarus. Besides, the two countries would promote the assembly of MAZ automobiles at the plant of Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corporation (VEAM).

VEAM is currently cooperating with Minsk Automobile Plant to produce vehicles under the brand MAZ in the local market. Minsk Automobile Plant on Wednesday officially opened a representative office in Vietnam.

In addition, Prime Minister Myasnikovich said Belarus hoped to form a joint venture with Vietnam to build an education institution in Vietnam with Belarusian teachers.

Regarding the farm produce processing and export, the Belarusian leader sought joint ventures between the enterprises of both countries to produce goods for export to Western Europe.

The prime minister said his country would boost the import of Vietnamese products, especially farm produce, foodstuff and seafood.

The machines and equipment of Belarus have been accepted in the local market for long. The tractors produced the Republican Unitary Enterprise (RUE) Minsk Tractor Works are popular with Vietnamese farmers.

Several Vietnamese companies on Thursday signed contracts to purchase agricultural machines and fertilizer from Belarus.

In particular, Mekong Machinery Co. Ltd. agreed to buy 659 tractors, worth US$9 million in total, from RUE Minsk Tractor Works.

Au Viet Industry Company also signed a deal to buy 10 tipper trucks from BelAZ Company, worth 1.28 million euros. Besides, the Vietnamese firm will purchase auto tires produced by Belshina Company of Belarus though a contract worth 670,000 euro.

Southern Fertilizer Company and Can Tho Fertilizer and Chemical Company signed contracts to buy 40,000 tons of potassium fertilizer and 138,000 tons of phosphate fertilizer respectively from the Belarus Fertilizer Joint Stock Company.