Working trip to Minsk Oblast

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The project to build the Nezhinsky mining and processing complex will help upgrade the social infrastructure of Lyuban District, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the ceremony to held on 11 September to start building the Nezhinsky mining and processing complex by IOOO Slavkaliy.

Before the ceremony the head of state was informed about the fulfillment of his instructions to implement an investment project to build the mining and processing complex with the capacity from 1.1 million tonnes to 2 million tonnes of potassium chloride at the premises of the Nezhinsky section of the Starobin deposit of potash salt and about the influence of this project on the development of the region. Aleksandr Lukashenko looked through the plan of the construction site and got familiar with the construction schedule. Apart from that, he was informed about the social and economic development of Lyuban District and Minsk Oblast.

The head of state remarked that the project will help solve important social and economic issues and will promote the country’s development.

Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that the launch of the construction project is a historical event. “We are getting down to the construction of the new mining and processing complex that will be able to turn out up to 2 million tonnes of potassium chloride per annum,” said the President. “In the future it will allow raising the production of potash fertilizers in Belarus up to 14 million tonnes per annum.”

For Belarus potash fertilizers are a staple import and a major source of foreign currency. We export over 90% of the output every year.” In his words, Belarus is one of the few countries that make three main kinds of fertilizers: nitrogen ones, phosphoric ones, and potash ones. Aleksandr Lukashenko explained why fertilizer production was so important. Nowadays a huge number of people starve across the globe, it is necessary to feed them. It is impossible to accomplish the goal without agriculture, which heavily relies on fertilizers.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that Belarus pays close attention to the potash industry development strategy. The mining and processing complex is the third largest complex in Belarus. “We can say with pride that Belarus is the world’s top manufacturer of this kind of fertilizers per capita,” said the head of state.

The country can be proud of the fact that Belarus is the world’s leader in terms of the potash fertilizers production per capita. Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that at present there is fierce competition on the market of potassium chloride, this is why Belarus is not satisfied with the accomplishments. Instead state-of-the-art technologies and innovations are regularly introduced. The new complex will rely heavily on them. The new technologies will reduce costs, will enable more effective utilization of natural resources, and will increase export and foreign currency earnings of the country.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that the development of the Belarusian chemical industry focuses on remodeling the existing manufacturing capacity, the establishment of new enterprises, and on using Belarusian raw materials as much as possible. Once the Nezhinsky mining and processing complex is commissioned, tax revenues will rise. All of that will positively influence the national economy.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that the project will create almost 2000 new jobs and social infrastructure for comfortable living. Gas supply network will be extended to 21 population centers in Lyuban District as part of the project. A railway station and 37km of railways will be built; Lyuban water supply and treatment facilities will be reconstructed.

Aleksandr Lukashenko wished all the participants to do all the works on time and with high quality.

The head of state expressed confidence that the large-scale project will promote the development of Lyuban and the district. Alexander Lukashneko stressed that the plans to develop Lyuban District should be revised in order to make the area the country’s most advanced region by the time.

The President said he was confident that within five years Lyuban will become the country’s most beautiful town since the construction of the Nezhinsky mining and processing complex has already started.

Aleksandr Lukashenko and Mikhail Gutseriyev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Russneft company, laid a capsule at the construction site of the Nezhinsky mining and processing complex. The commemorative capsule was laid in a ceremony to launch the construction of the Nezhinsky mining and processing complex at the Starobin deposit of potash salts. "We attach particular importance to the dynamic development of the potash industry and strive to maintain its leadership positions in the international market of potash fertilizers. The construction of the new complex is the next step in the development of mineral deposits. It will help create new jobs and increase the export potential of the country. This is an important investment project, which will benefit the Belarusian nation,” reads the message in the capsule.

During the meeting with Lyuban residents the President said that this is not the easiest period in the development of the global economy. “You know that we are going through a rather difficult period. It is not a catastrophe, but we should not stand still,” the head of state noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out the importance of the fact that Belarus has become the main platform for implementing the Chinese Silk Road project in Europe. The Belarusian President stressed that Chinese friends have once again promised to support Belarusian projects.

He said that the recent meetings with Chinese top-raking officials confirmed that Belarus will get $3 billion of preferential loans and $4 billion of commercial loans. Apart from that, this mining and processing plant will be built using $2 billion of Chinese loans. This is a good investment, Aleksandr Lukashenko believes. “This $7 billion should be used in a difficult time. The loans should help us stay afloat in the crisis years,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. The President said that he had instructed the government to prepare a list of projects which can utilize these Chinese funds. These projects should be efficient and highly-profitable.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that Belarus had survived the situation involving Uralkali. According to the President, the team of Belarusian Potash Company has beaten everyone in the world. The President mentioned what tasks he had given to the new management of Belarusian Potash Company. “They approached me in January 2015 and in late 2014 with proposals to resume cooperation,” said the President. The Belarusian side decided not to make such steps.