Belarus and Ukraine intend to establish joint ventures in machine building and pharmaceutical industry, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko told reporters following the session of the Belarusian-Ukrainian mixed intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation.

“We would like to set up a joint venture to produce passenger cars,” Vladimir Semashko said. Apart from that, several projects to assemble and produce Belarusian farm machinery in Ukraine are being negotiated. These projects are important for Ukraine as this country has a high level of agricultural production.

Joint ventures to assemble cars, buses and trams might be set up in Ukraine, too. Vladimir Semashko reminded reporters that two joint ventures to assemble Belarusian tractors are already working and their products are in demand on the Ukrainian market.

According to the First Vice-Premier, the Belarusian side would like Ukrainian pharmaceutical companies, both private and state-run ones, to take part in the pharmaceutical production in Belarus on certain conditions. Vladimir Semashko informed that Belarus’ pharmaceutical industry satisfies only 28% of the domestic demand for medicines. Ukraine has an advanced pharmaceutical production; this is why Belarus is interested in cooperation.

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