Russia will block the assembly of Chinese cars in Belarus

The Russian authorities don't like the idea of creating the production of Chinese cars in Belarus, as this will hinder the development of its own auto industry. This opinion was expressed in an interview with "Zviazda" by the ambassador of Russia to Belarus Alexander Surikov.

"Look, we have created the Customs Union exactly to protect ourselves from unfair competition from other countries. And China, as we know, is not included in the Customs Union. So I don't rule out that Russia, which has substantial capacities for the production of passenger cars, will insist on significant restrictions on the import of Chinese packaged parts for subsequent assembly of these cars in Belarus. It is the right of Russia and this question can arise", the ambassador said.

As UDF.BY wrote before, on December 23 at a press conference for Belarusian and regional media, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko said, the assembling of Chinese Lifan cars will be established in Borisov.

"Today, Minister of Industry reported to me, that negotiations was finished and they signed the documents with Chinese company Lifan on the establishment in Borisov a joint venture of passenger cars with maximum perspective of localization. The founders from the Belarusian side are "BATE" and "BelAZ", Semashko said.

At the same press conference President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said, in order to develop the car production, it is more profitable for the republic to attract a major investor, than to do it yourself.

"While attracting a large corporation here, we say: guys, come, we will create the best conditions, better than neighbors have. But car production and sales - it is your problem and concern", he said.

However, it's possible that instead of Chinese cars in Belarus, they will make an assembling of Russian "Yo-mobil" cars, in production of which is involved Russian oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov.

"I asked Prokhorov to look on Belarus, because it's interesting project", the president said.

However, later it came out, that Belarus signed an investment project to create a joint venture, which will deal with the assembly of Chinese Geely. As a base the capacities of "BelAZ" will be used.