Belarus would develop an automobile production and assembly plant and an engine manufacturing factory for agricultural machines in Vietnam, said Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich.

The dignitary made the announcement on 1st December at the Vietnam-Belarus business forum held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in HCMC, on the occasion of the Belarusian delegation's three-day visit to Vietnam.

Though no detail was given at the event, the Vietnam-Belarus communiqué issued on 31St November revealed the specific information on the future projects.

Particularly, an engine factory would be established with the participation of Minsk Motor Plant Open Joint Stock Company of Belarus. Besides, the two countries would promote the assembly of MAZ automobiles at the plant of Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corporation (VEAM).

VEAM is currently cooperating with Minsk Automobile Plant to produce vehicles under the brand MAZ in the local market. Minsk Automobile Plant on 30th November officially opened a representative office in Vietnam.

The machines and equipment of Belarus have been accepted in the local market for long. The tractors produced the Republican Unitary Enterprise (RUE) Minsk Tractor Works are popular with Vietnamese farmers.

In particular, Mekong Machinery agreed to buy 659 tractors, worth US$9 million in total, from RUE Minsk Tractor Works.

Au Viet Industry Company also signed a deal to buy 10 tipper trucks from BelAZ Company, worth €1.28 million. Besides, the Vietnamese firm will purchase auto tires produced by Belshina Company of Belarus though a contract worth € 670,000.