Crisis-hit Belarus eyes Azerbaijani market, investments

BAKU, July 8 (Itar-Tass) -- Crisis-hit Belarus is working to expand
the sales of its products on the Azerbaijani market and attract local
investments into its national economy.
On Thursday a memorandum was signed in the presence of visiting
Belarussian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich between the Ganja Car
Plant and Minsk truck works (MAZ) to produce garbage-collecting vehicles
using MAZ trucks and German Haller's equipment.
The Minsk tire plant also signed a cooperation agreement with Ganja
works.
Belarus also plans to supply BelAZ earthmovers and launch
energy-saving lighting equipment production in Azerbaijan.
On Friday Myasnikovich will discuss the projects with Azerbaijani
Prime Minister Artur Rasi-zade and then with President Ilkham Aliyev.
Belarussian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Nikolai Patskevich said Minsk is
also eyeing Azeri investments and said 400 enterprises, including two oil
refineries in Plotsk and Mozyr (total annual capacity of 22 million tons)
will be privatized in 2011-2013.
Myasnikovich said Azerbaijan might also acquire one of Belarussian
banks.