China extends $16 bln in credit lines to Belarus
MINSK. April 5 (Interfax) - China has opened credit lines totaling $16 billion to finance the implementation of joint projects in Belarus, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Anatoly Rubinov said on Thursday.
"We are grateful that China provides loans. Chinese credit lines totaling $16 billion have now been opened," Rubinov said at a meeting with China's Ambassador to Belarus Gong Jianwei.
The funds are being used to finance various joint projects, including in the electricity sector and housing construction, Rubinov said, adding that the countries have also approached the issue of building a technology park.
The ambassador said the parties are now at the stage of finalizing the documents on this project. He said he recently met with the management of the Chinese company involved in this project. "We want to continue to develop economic cooperation," he said.
He also said that cooperation between Belarus and China in culture and education is developing well.
The ambassador also said that China would like to deepen interregional ties. "We want to promote ties between cities, provinces and regions so that they participate in the development o international relations," he said.
Rubinov said that the trade turnover between Belarus and China has grown 100-fold in the 20 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations, and totaled about $3 billion in 2011.
