BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

06/12/2007

Belarus' agriculture ministry set to increase, diversify export of farm produce to Georgia

The Belarusian agriculture ministry plans to extend the list of agricultural products exported to Georgia, Yakaw Pustashyla, head of the ministry's main external economic relations department, told BelaPAN.

According to him, this subject was discussed with Georgian Agriculture Minister Petre Tsiskarishvili, who arrived Tuesday in Minsk on a three-day visit.

The Belarusian delegation to the talks was led by First Deputy Minister Nadzeya Katkavets.

"We offered a wide range of finished meat and dairy products for export," Mr. Pustashyla said. "Belarus exports some milk powder and butter to Georgia, but, as Katkavets noted, both countries believe that exports totaling $1 million are not enough."

Georgia's offer of bulk shipments of citrus fruit, persimmon, apples and juice concentrates to Belarus will be discussed at a meeting that the Georgian delegation is to have at the trade ministry, Mr. Pustashyla said.

Georgia is also interested in buying Belarusian tractors, he noted, adding that the Georgian delegation would therefore visit the Minsk Tractor Works on Wednesday.

The Georgian guests were also expected to meet with Belarusian veterinary officials to discuss how the two countries' veterinary services can exchange experience. Mr. Tsiskarishvili was to have a one-on-one meeting with Agriculture Minister Leanid Rusak.

According to Georgian news sources, Georgian businesspeople on the delegation, plan to negotiate with Belarusian entrepreneurs about sales of Georgian farm products.

Georgia's exports of apples and citrus fruit are expected to total 10,000 to 15,000 tons in 2007.

Source:

http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=12266