Georgia-Belarus announce joint venture in agricultural sector

Georgia and Belarus are planning to create a joint venture producing agricultural machinery equipment.

At the same time new and joint enterprises will be opened on the territory of both countries.

Georgia’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Belarusian Ministry of Industry will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation tomorrow, confirming the mutual interest of both parties in developing cooperation.

This was discussed today at a meeting between Georgia’s Minister of Agriculture Otar Danelia, the Minister of Agriculture and Food of Belarus Leonid Zayats and the Minister of Industry of Belarus Vitaly Vovk.

Georgia and Belarus confirmed their readiness to develop links in the agricultural sector at a press conference that was held after the meeting.

Danelia said the agricultural sector was "very developed” in Belarus, which was a result of "thoughtful and patriotic policy” and he believed Georgia could learn some valuable lessons by learning from Belarus’ experience in this direction.

In return, Zayats said the Georgia-Belarus relationship was about to enter "a new era”.

"Georgians are unique people, hard-working and hospitable and I am glad we will have cooperation with such people,” Zayats said.

Today the ministries will attend the Georgia-Belarus business forum.

Meanwhile, a Georgia-Belarus business forum is currently being held where discussions about bilateral cooperation continued. The sides planned to arrange future talks about opening wineries in the first step towards creating the joint ventures.

The forum was organised by the Georgia and Belaurs Chambers of Commerce. During the forum, Georgian and Belarusian companies will sign a Memorandums of Cooperation.

Specifically, alcoholic beverage producers Sarajishvili from Georgia and Minsk Kristal from Belarus, will sign the contract. In addition, Belavtomaze Holding will sign a contract with Business Group 2010, Bobruisk Agromash will make a deal with Georgia’s Technical University, and MTZ Holding will sign an agreement with World Technique.

During the forum more than 180 meetings are planned between Georgian and Belarusian companies.

The Belarusian delegation included 44 representatives of 38 companies. The delegation will stay in Georgia till April 23.

Meanwhile, Georgia is preparing to host the president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.

Lukashenko will pay a two-day visit to capital Tbilisi from April 22 to 24.