By Lyudmila Stepanova
Belarus’ First Deputy Prime Minister, Vladimir Semashko, recently took part in the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Joint Belarusian-Ukrainian Commission for Trade and Economic Co-operation in Kiev. He notes that the bodies of vehicles are to be assembled in Lutsk, jointly with the Ukrainian Bogdan Corporation. Electronic control systems are to be produced in Russia, while the remaining spare parts will be manufactured by Belkommunmash. The first trial model of a low floor high-density tram will be ready in 2012, for donation to Kiev. The design rivals foreign models in its technical characteristics while being considerably cheaper.
Mr. Semashko notes that this project is another opportunity for Belarus to enter the huge Ukrainian market, ensuring orders for Belarusian enterprises and Ukrainian partners for many years to come. According to the First Deputy Prime Minister, joint Belarusian-Ukrainian assembly guarantees further mutually beneficial collaboration to the benefit of Belarus. We are a member of the Customs Union while Ukraine is a WTO member, giving opportunities for sales to third country markets.
Mass production of Belarusian trams is to be established in future in Ukraine, allowing us to significantly replace rolling urban electric transport stock in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities. Ukraine is second only to Russia in its number of operational trams, while its fleet is almost 100 percent in need of replacement.
