March 1, 2013

Belarus and Bangladesh are considering a dairy manufacturing partnership which will use Belarusian raw materials in Bangladesh.

After a visit by a government delegation, led by Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich, to Bangladesh  Vasily Kazakevich, Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister of Belarus, remarked that avenues of cooperation have been determined and measures have been worked out, including cooperation in the area of agriculture.

Setting up a joint venture to manufacture dairy products has already been discussed with dairy company, Milk Vita. The company accounts for about 70% of Bangladesh's dairy products output.'

Kazakevich says, "Meetings with potential partners have been held. After returning we have set up a working group in the Agriculture and Food Ministry, has chosen Minsk Oblast for cooperation with Bangladesh, in particular, Slutsk Cheese Factory".

In January 2013, the working group visited Bangladesh. Negotiations with interested business bodies to discuss the establishment of the joint venture were held. Belarus' assistance in setting up a veterinary medicine lab was offered. The Belarusian side also presented designs of dairy farms and modular milk-processing factories, and expressed readiness to render technical aid and outfit the farms with Belarusian equipment.

Potential partners from Bangladesh came to Belarus in February, including the director of the company Fialka Ltd. The establishment of a joint enterprise was discussed with them as well. The delegation visited the Meat and Dairy Industry Institute, the Slutsk cheese factory, and dairy factory Number One in Minsk. After the meeting, a protocol was signed to reflect the main arrangements and avenues of cooperation.

In May 2012, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry of Bangladesh to stipulate cooperation in agriculture and food.