Chinese investors in the Vitebsk region will be engaged in growing vegetables and berries in a closed ground
Chinese investors in the Vitebsk region will be engaged in growing vegetables and berries in a closed ground. Representatives of Shandong Lisente Agrotechnology discussed the details of the project at a meeting with the leadership of the regional executive committee. The head of the region, Alexander Rogozhnik, emphasized the importance of joint production, both in terms of building a new facility and in terms of exchanging competencies. The Vitebsk region is interested in implementing advanced global technologies that allow providing the population with high-quality and affordable vegetables and fruits all year round.
A preliminary agreement on the construction of a greenhouse complex in Belarus was reached after a meeting between Alexander Lukashenko and the head of the Chinese company, Wang Shoubo. Shandong Lisente Agrotechnology is already operating in Belarus – it is building a 4th generation greenhouse for growing tomatoes on behalf of the Svetlogorsk Pulp and Board Mill. During their first visit to the Vitebsk region, Chinese investors visited several potential sites, and the choice was made on a 25-hectare plot near the "Bremeno" special economic zone.
– We have already established a joint venture and will now develop a business plan for this project. We plan to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries in the greenhouse. An exhibition area will also be created where we can present cultivation technologies for other crops. A plot for testing productive seeds is provided. First and foremost, the products will be sold to the local population, and secondly, they will be supplied to Russia and Europe, – explained Wang Shoubo.
The head of the Chinese company also explained the choice of the northern region for the implementation of the large-scale project:
– Agriculture in Belarus is given paramount importance. The priority direction for the development of the Vitebsk region is the development of the agro-industrial complex. It is also important that the authorities provided us with great support.
The First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Sergey Levkovich, emphasized that the construction of greenhouse complexes is one of the directions for the development of the agro-industrial complex of the northern region.
– We plan to actively develop the production of not only vegetables but also other types of products in protected ground. We are interested in the approaches of the Chinese side to this area, cooperation in terms of joint investments in projects. At this stage, project details are being discussed, a feasibility study and a business plan are being prepared, and the operating model for the future enterprise is being worked out. The main thing is its economic efficiency. In the future, we intend not to limit ourselves to the Orsha district, but to develop greenhouse production in other parts of our region as well, – noted Sergey Levkovich.
According to the First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, the construction of the greenhouse complex will be completed in the next two to three years. The reconstruction of the existing greenhouses "Rudakovo" and "Vesna-Energo" will also continue so that they meet modern standards and the products can compete in both domestic and foreign markets.