Foreign and Military Affairs

Belarus eyes China projects worth $10 billion

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-26 01:49
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Belarus eyes China projects worth $10 billion
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) and Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko (R) meet for talks in Minsk, March 24, 2010. [Agencies]

MINSK: Belarus could secure Chinese investment of more than $10 billion in a series of projects spanning several industrial sectors, including cars, electricity and sugar, a Belarussian government spokesman said on Thursday.

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"These are absolutely realistic projects that should be realised in the next three to four years," government spokesman Alexander Timoshenko said.

He was speaking during a visit to Minsk by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping.

Timoshenko said the total amount of Chinese investment into the Belarussian economy could reach $15.7 billion, including a $5.7 billion credit line agreed in December.

Asked whether that meant potential deals worth $10 billion had been agreed during Xi's visit, he said: "Yes."

Timoshenko said Belarus and China aimed to cooperate in 89 projects, including construction of an automobile plant and a sugar refinery and the reconstruction of several electricity plants, as well as the creation of a Chinatown in Minsk.