Belaruskali still remains reliable partner despite western sanctions – Lukashenko

<p> MINSK, Aug 27 - PrimePress. Belaruskali (Soligorsk, Minsk Oblast) will remain a reliable partner despite western sanctions. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made a statement to this effect on August 27 during the festive ceremony to launch the Petrikov Mining and Processing Factory (Gomel Oblast) operated by Belaruskali potash maker (Soligorsk, Minsk Oblast), Lukashenko’s press service said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Lukashenko: “Potassium is our country’s brand. The demand for potassium is huge and is increasing every year. Belaruskali is one of the most reliable players on the global fertilizer market. It produces and sells over 20% of potash fertilizers. But the main thing (I am not afraid of this word as I am keeping an eye on the production and sales of potash fertilizers) is that it is the most reliable partner in the world. We have never let down our partners and we will never let them down.” </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, even today when the country is under pressure of various sanctions imposed by the USA and EU countries, Belarus does not let down partners and fulfills all obligations. “On the contrary, we are looking for new sales markets, new opportunities for the delivery of products. Such giants as China, Brazil, India and other countries are interested in Belarusian fertilizers. Food security and the availability of fertilizers are the key priorities amid the global coronavirus pandemic,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p>   </p> <p> On 30 January 2020, Belaruskali produced the first batch of potash fertilizers from the ore extracted at the Petrikov Mining and Processing Factory. Director of the Petrikov Mine, Yury Petrovsky, said that the Petrikov Mine will reach its design capacity to produce potash fertilizers in early 2022. The production capacity of the plant is 1.5 million tons of fertilizers per year with a possibility to double the output. The construction of the Petrikov Mining and Processing Factory started in August 2014, the total value of the project stands at $1.25bn. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Belaruskali is one of the world’s largest producers of potash mineral fertilizers, and is 100% state-owned. The company operates on the basis of the Starobin potassium salt deposit and includes four mines, auxiliary shops and service divisions. The company’s share in global exports of potash fertilizers exceeds 16%. The products are supplied to more than 100 countries. Exports are handled through Belarusian Potash Company (BPC). </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, Belarus’ potash industry is under Western sanctions. The European Union imposed sectoral economic sanctions on Belarus on 25 June 2021. In particular, trade in petroleum products, potash fertilizers, raw materials and equipment for the production of tobacco and tobacco products is restricted. On 9 August 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on 23 individuals and 21 entities of Belarus, including Belaruskali, Absolutbank, Energo-Oil, New Oil Company, Bremino Group, Grodno Tobacco Factory, the National Olympic Committee and the Investigative Committee of Belarus. The UK and Canada also imposed sanctions on major sectors of the Belarusian economy, including the potash and oil refining industry, government securities and money market instruments, as well as dual-use goods and technologies and the aviation industry. End </p> <p>   </p>

2021-08-28

Primepress