MAZ, Kamaz to cooperate, standardize components

MINSK. July 6 (Interfax) - Belarusian and Russian truck makers MAZ and Kamaz have agreed to develop industrial cooperation and plan to standardize components, the Belarusian Industry Ministry reported.

The ministry's leadership is visiting the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, where it is participating in the Innoprom-2022 industrial exhibition.

The ministry officials held a working meeting with Kamaz CEO Sergei Kogogin that was also attended by Belarus's ambassador to Russia, Vladimir Semashko.

"The parties discussed the state of affairs on issues concerning the development of industrial cooperation and prospective standardization of the MAZ and Kamaz component base, as well as confirmed their willingness to soon sign a detailed roadmap for implementation with a breakdown by periods and items," the ministry said.

Kamaz, Russia's largest manufacturer of 14-40 tonne trucks, was hit by sanctions by the European Union, UK, United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland after the start of the military operation in Ukraine. The sanctions lists of Australia, Canada and the UK also include Kamaz's CEO. Kamaz's principal shareholder with 47.1%, state company Rostec is also subject to UK and U.S. sanctions.

MAZ, or the Minsk Automobile Plant is one of the largest manufacturers of heavy trucks, as well as buses, trolleys and trailers in the CIS. MAZ's main export market is Russia. The truck maker has been subject to EU sanctions since 2021.