​BELARUS AND MOLDOVA MAY ESTABLISH A JOINT AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE

Moldova and Belarus are interested in developing trade relations, especially in the field of agriculture. This was the main topic of discussion at the meeting of Belarus Minister of Trade Vladimir Koltovich and Moldovan delegation, headed by Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Eduard Grama, in Minsk.

According to the Belarusian Ministry of Trade, the sides discussed actual issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of supplying alcohol, fruit and vegetables, exhibition and trade fair activities, as well as the opportunity to create a joint enterprise in Belarus on mutually profitable basis.

Moldova has been one of the main suppliers of wine and fresh grapes to Belarus for already many years. In particular, in the field of Moldovan bottled alcohol beverages supplying, 44% account for cognacs, 23% – for grape wines and over 14% - sparkling wines.

Over the last two years, the import of grapes from Moldova grew 2.5 times and reached 20.6 thousand tons in 2015, which is almost 46% of its total volume of imports to Belarus.

Besides, according to the Ministry, the volumes of tomatoes, potatoes, fruit and vegetable juices, canned vegetables supplied to Belarus from Moldova increased since last year.

Infotag’s dossier: Belarus is in top ten largest trade partners of Moldova. According to the result of the first six months of 2016, exports to it accounted for US$46.8 million – 2.3% less than a year ago. However, the imports from this country grew 39% – to US$38 million.

Earlier, the sides intended to create in Moldova a joint production of agricultural machinery.