DUSHANBE, November 27, 2009, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon, who is currently in Belarus to attend a high-level meeting “Let’s Unite CIS Area” and a session of the Interstate Council of the Eurasian Economic Committee (EAEC), visited a Belarusian manufacturer of haulage and earthmoving equipment, BelAZ, based in Zhodino.
According to presidential press service, during a meeting with top managers of the company, the Tajik head of state told them about cooperation between Tajik enterprises and BelAZ, especially on construction of large and medium-sized hydropower facilities in the country.
During the meeting, the sides also discussed the launch of a joint venture in Tajikistan for repairing BelAZ trucks and producing spare parts.
Over the past three years, Tajikistan has purchased some 300 BelAZ and MAZ heavy trucks that are currently used for construction of the country’s large facilities.
Founded in 1948, BelAZ has been a flagship of USSR and Byelorussian industry for decades. The company has produced over 120,000 vehicles for service in the Soviet Union and the rest of the world.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union
, the company had to adapt to a changing economic environment. It broadened its product line and launched new products for road construction and metallurgical production. Its products are based on the company”s own research and development.
The BelAZ machines feature improved power-to-weight ratio, smooth ride, comfortable working environment, good controllability and overall reliability. The trucks gained a reputation as efficient haulers for mining, quarrying and construction applications in the Arctic North or Tropical South.
BelAZ is a site for one of the largest CIS investment project. The factory finalized two of the three scheduled phases of the technical re-equipment and upgrades. The Quality Management System applied in research and development, fabrication, erection and after-sale service of the equipment complies with international ISO 9000 standards.
In the meantime, some Russian media report that a meeting of Tajik and Belarusian presidents took place in Minsk yesterday. Emomali Rahmon and Aleksnadr Lukashenko discussed a broad range of issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Belarus in different fields.
Lukashenko noted that Belarusian economy was the export-oriented one. “We produce more than Belarus needs,” Belarusian leader noted.
For his party, President Rahmon noted that Tajikistan was interested in cooperation with Belarusian partners in launching joint ventures and “Belarusian are machine will be appropriate at Tajikistan’s market,” Tajik president noted.
Rahmon also expressed interest in direct delivery of Belarusian products to Tajikistan. He also proposed to organize exhibitions of Tajik products in Belarus and Belarusian products in Tajikistan.
