ECONOMY The Times Thursday, March 25, 2010 5 Buses running on electricity no longer a bold dream but reality At present, Belarusian trolley buses are used in almost 50 foreign countries

By Andrey Bobkov It’s no secret that local the Belarusian and Russian been already set up in Bar- tor General, Vladimir Ko- teresting and promising manufacturers in the Rus- colleagues rol. “We plan to outsource areas for Belkommunmash. Russian passengers also sian regions usually win the latest development From the very beginning, enjoy goods by one of the — high-speed — to the new by Belarusian most innovative Belaru- the Russian capital designers received very sian enterprises and the for trial opera- high quality components: geography of sales of Bela- tion. Technical imported engines, Czech rus-made trolley buses and issues with the Škoda carriages and sev- trams covers over 30 Rus- organisation of eral Italian details. How- sian regions from Vladi- joint assembly ever, the electronics and vostok to Kaliningrad. facilities in St. most of the components Belkommunmash has Petersburg have been are domestically produced. been involved in serial solved, with negotia- Taking into account that manufacture of third-gen- tenders tions in Ufa and Tver satellite towns have been eration trolley buses for for the in the pipeline.” recently appearing near several years already, ri- supply of Last September, Russian megapolises, the valling the best world urban electric customers from Ar- potential market for the in- equivalents while remain- transport and gentina took an inter- novative new technique of ing surprisingly afford- municipal vehicles est in Belkommun- Belarusians and their Rus- able. In 2008, the enter- (other conditions being mash’s production sian colleagues seems very prise became number one equal). However, achiev- during the 1st Inter- large. in the world in terms of ing world-level quality is national Conference Belkommunmash’s de- units manufactured, and it often too complex a task of Electrical Trans- signers have already be- doesn’t plan to reduce its for most of them, although port Consumers, held gun to work on a new bus production rates. Moreo- some boast rather serious for many on the enterprise’s model able to run on diesel ver, the sales to the Russian achievements in separate years and premises. Belarusian generator while simultane- market should increase via areas. What if we unite the has been now trolley buses will un- ously generating and accu- expanding Belkommun- opportunities of the best brought to life. dergo trial tests in Argen- mulating electrical energy. mash’s own capacities and Russian manufacturers and “At present, joint as- tinean streets very soon. An idea which was a bold closer co-operation with the CIS leader? This idea sembly production of trol- naul and ,” tells us High-speed trams re- project just a year ago be- local producers. has been in the thoughts of ley buses and trams has Belkommunmash’s Direc- main one of the most in- gins to take real form. ‘Sweet’ bilateral co-operation Transparency to targets benef icial results provide assistance

By Lyudmila Minkevich (compared to current imports). and milk,” explains Mr. Cuci- ious sweets. Some are exported in customs process ‘Italian style and quality, yet notta. “Th ese are ingredients to Canada, the USA and Rus- Italian desserts could be manufactured in ’ is available in every country. Italy sia. However, to conquer new Belarus’ State Customs manufactured in Belarus the essence of the joint ‘sweet’ imports dairy products from markets, we must constantly Committee signs from local ingredients project. other states and it may even be improve while expanding our memorandum of It’s no secret that many of Paolo Caridi, a maestro possible that our desserts are range. Much of the equipment understanding with us love Italian cuisine. Most Be- of confectionery and associ- sometimes made from Bela- at our confectionery enterpris- largest car producer in larusian restaurants off er es has been produced in the world — BMW AG popular Italian Tiramisu Italy. Th is year, we’ll be (Germany) cake, alongside tradi- installing an Italian line The Deputy Chairman tional draniki (a famous to manufacture fructose of the State Customs Com- national dish). Italian biscuits at Kobrin Bread- mittee, Leonid Dosov, has biscuits and sweets can Baking Plant. We’re met Patrick Vodasik, a rep- be easily found on super- ready to co-operate with resentative of BMW, at the market shelves, although Italy and to work jointly State Customs Committee they’re rather expensive. on innovative projects, of Belarus. Audrius Sinki- Now, the Association of particularly regarding avicus, Director General of Italian Confectionery the manufacture of new UAB Autoimex (Lithuania) Industries (supported by varieties of confection- — BMW’s official Belaru- the Italian Embassy to ery.” sian dealer — also attended Belarus) has organised Mr. Cucinotta’s the meeting. Chevrolet and BMW. Belarus’ fi rst food tast- dream is to see Bela- BMW AG manufactures The State Customs ing and presentation, in- rus as the largest ‘sweet’ more than a million cars Committee of Belarus has cluding master classes of manufacturer in Eastern each year — sold world- also signed the memoran- high Italian confection- Europe; it may soon be wide. Its basic production dum of understanding with ery making, hosted by realised. Of course, en- facilities are situated in Chevrolet Central and East- Minsk’s Dolce Vita elite terprises will need to see Dingolfing, Regensburg, ern Europe LLC — a subdi- restaurant. how customers respond Leipzig, Munich (Germa- vision of General Motors, Th e Confectionery BELTA to the new sweets on sale; ny), Spartanburg (the USA) which also supplies passen- Presentation of Italian sweets in Minsk Industries Association’s not everyone will believe and also in Thailand, Ma- ger cars to Belarus. Ambassador for Eastern Eu- ate professor at the prestigious rusian milk. I’m confi dent that in high quality just by looking laysia, India, Egypt, South Memorandums of un- rope, Renato Cucinotta — a CAST Alimenti school of culi- Belarus-made Italian sweets at the packaging. As they say, African Republic, Vietnam derstanding with producers famous businessman and res- nary mastery, led a master class, won’t diff er from the original.” ‘the proof is in the pudding’. and Russia. (owners of trademarks) aim taurant critic, has led a proposal demonstrating eleven Italian Belarusian chefs are ready “We can’t wait!” Mr. Cu- The State Customs Com- to bring transparency and suggesting that Belarusian en- desserts. Chefs from Belarusian to liaise with Italian colleagues, cinotta smiles. “We off er our mittee of Belarus has already reduce unjustified delays terprises manufacture Italian- state and private enterprises stresses Vasily Sedin, Belarus’ trademark of quality guarantee concluded ten memoran- in customs processing of style confectionery from inex- took part, learning how to re- Deputy Minister for Agricul- to those producing Italian des- dums of understanding with goods, while raising trade pensive domestic ingredients. produce the same delicious ture and Food. He notes, “48 serts using our technologies the globe’s biggest carmak- turnover across the Belaru- Belarusian customers would recipes. confectionery workshops are and a few special ingredients.” ers: including Volkswagen, sian border and supporting be able to taste Italian sweets at “Sweets are primarily pre- currently operating in Belarus, Th is ‘sweet’ collaboration may Kia, Audi, Škoda, Volvo, equal conditions for all Be- almost 30-times less the price pared from fl our, butter, eggs providing the country with var- truly bring benefi cial results. Citroёn, Peugeot, Nissan, larusian importers.