Dictator exchanges MAZ for Chinese Geely

The Belarusian government agreed on Russia's conditions on the merger of MAZ and KamAZ companies get the opportunity to produce Chinese cars.

Gazeta.ru received this information from its sources in the Belarusian government.

Belarus will begin to sell produced in the country Geely cars this year. The merger of truck manufacturing plants is scheduled for 2013.

Construction of the plant to assemble Chinese cars is expected to be completed this autumn at Barysau-based Avtogidrousilitel JSC, Belarusian minister of industry Dzmitry Katerynich says. “We've already received the equipment. The installation process is under way,” the official said. “Both construction and installation will be completed this September and we will start to produce vehicles from semi-knocked-down kits. After that, vehicles will be tried to get approval of the vehicle type by Russia. The certificate will allow Belarus to sell cars in Russia.”

Gazeta.ru source in the Belarusian government says the arrangement was reached at the recent talks between Putin and Lukashenka in Sochi on September 15. The information has not been confirmed officially.

Minsk may agree on the conditions, on which Rosbelavto holding company  will receive a 75% stake in MAZ (Minsk Automobile Plant) and a 49.9% stake in KamAZ.