Belarus and the USA will discuss the possibility of setting up a joint enterprise in the area of pig breeding, said Alexei Bogdanov, Head of the Central Office for Foreign Economic Activities of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry.
A Belarusian delegation is now in the USA on an official visit. The delegation is led by Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Igor Brylo. The delegation is working on export diversification.
An official meeting and business talks at the level of deputy agriculture ministers of Belarus and the United States took place in Washington the day before. The sides exchanged information about the state of affairs in the trade and economic sphere and expressed confidence that the meeting will incentivize cooperation, noted Alexei Bogdanov. In his opinion, the visit can be called a breakthrough, and not only in relations between the agencies.
The Belarusian delegation will stay in the USA till the end of the week. While in America members of the delegation are expected to meet with the agriculture minister of the State of Indiana, representatives of American businesses, legal firms, processing and trade companies. The promotion of Belarusian products onto the American market and search for investments for Belarusian agriculture will continue during the meetings. According to Alexei Bogdanov, there are plans to discuss the organization of a joint venture in the area of pig breeding and the construction of a nucleus center for the pedigree stock of pigs in Belarus.
In 2014 Belarus' export to the USA totaled $120.5 million, 35.2% up from 2013, with import at $507.4 million, 11.6% down. The primary exports were pipes and other metal products, potash fertilizers, furniture, linen fabrics, food, liquid crystal products, optics. The primary imports were medical instruments and equipment, vaccines and medications, cars, internal combustion engines, x-ray equipment.
In 2014 enterprises run by the Agriculture and Food Ministry exported over $2.5 million worth of merchandise to the USA, 50% up from 2013. According to the source, Belarusian dairy products, bakery and pasta products, juices, fish products, confectionery products, and alcohol have already earned some solid ground on the North American market. It is now necessary to increase export, expand the product choice, and connect to American retail chains, told in Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry.
Source: BelTA