Belarus to deluge Indonesia with milk and “will not stop here”

The problem is competitors from New Zealand and Australia.

Belarus hopes to earn $150mn on dairy products deliveries to Indonesia, Belarusian minister of agriculture and food Leanid Zayats said today, BelTA news agency reports.

According to the minister, the countries signed a memorandum on cooperation in agriculture, in particular supplies of large amounts of dairy products (nonfat dry milk and whey) at a price profitable for Belarus. “We can gain $150 million from the contract. But we won't stop here,” Leanid Zayats said.

Indonesia demonstrated its interest in buying butter, cheese and other milk products. “We are discussing the possibility of setting up a joint venture in Belarus to process meat. The project will be discussed further after a visit of Indonesian businessmen to Belarus. I think we will come to an understanding with the Indonesian side on a deeper cooperation between the two countries in the process of negotiations,” the minister noted.

Leanid Zayats turned his attention to the fact that New Zealand and Australia were Belarus's serious competitors in dairy products supplies. “Our task is to reduce expenses and costs of goods sold and improve products' quality,” the minister said.

Belarus is interested in investments from Indonesia, setting up joint ventures and selling their products to third countries. The Lida Bread Factory is going to invest in the pasta line to sell pasta both in Belarus and abroad. The countries agreed on creating joint ventures to process milk in Belarus.

“Indonesia is interested in establishing friendly economic relations with Belarus. Indonesia has not been familiar with our market before, but the country has a great interest in Belarus. We have all opportunities for a fruitful cooperation,” the minister noted.