Bashkir-Belarusian investment cluster planned for opening in Bashkortostan
A Bashkir-Belarusian investment cluster may open in Bashkortostan – as noted by the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, commenting on the results of his today’s meeting with President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko
The President of Belarus was reported on the initiative at today’s meeting, and – as noted by Radiy Khabirov – this is ‘a new economic phenomenon’ that will require a change in Russian legislation. The Bashkir side has prepared relevant proposals. “We have found the support of the President of Belarus in this matter,” the Russian guest informed.
The Head of Bashkortostan said that a land plot had already been identified, and this territory will receive a certain status and various preferences. “There will be even more preferences than in the special economic zones that operate in the Russian Federation. The territory is quite large: there is enough space there to build five technoparks. Moreover, we even discussed the joint construction of rental housing for people to be eager to work there,” he noted.
Radiy Khabirov added that the Bashkir side is not waiting for the legislation to be changed, and it is already actively working with Belarusian partners in the special economic zone (SEZ). For example, Amkodor has already built an enterprise there and produces equipment for grain dryers. The partners are now interested in the production of Amkodor municipal equipment on the SEZ territory. Another Belarusian company is ready to produce separators for batteries.
“We provide all the opportunities for Belarusian producers here. Speaking of the benefit for companies, we offer reasonable utility bills, the workforce, the preferential regime and, most importantly, a large sales market. These are two different situations: to trade from Belarus at a distance of 2,500 kilometres and in the centre of the Volga Region. Meanwhile, 20m people live in the Volga Region, and the latter is actually a well-developed market," the Head of Bashkortostan said.
