Ukraine is supposed to increase Belarusian machinery purchases soon, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Piotr Poroshenko as he met with Belarus First Vice Premier Vladimir Semashko in Minsk on 19 October.

Piotr Poroshenko attributed the bilateral trade decline to the banking industry crisis, which led to reduced borrowing available for product purchasing. “In the first half a year rural people could not take out loans to buy tractors. Municipal authorities did not have money to buy buses,” he said. According to the Minister, now the situation is changing for the better.

The Ukrainian budget has allocated funds for financing agricultural leasing. “If at present commercial banks cannot provide full crediting support to our farmers, the budget will relieve part of the burden,” remarked Piotr Poroshenko.

Purchases of Belarusian tractors are supposed to be restored. “I can say the same about buses and trolley buses,” said the Minister. MAZ buses are supposed to be allowed participating in purchase tenders in Ukraine. “Despite legal restrictions on participation of non-Ukrainian companies, we have found a way. MAZ buses will be finished at a Ukrainian plant to be able to participate in tenders,” said the Ukrainian Foreign Minister.

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