Lukashenko says planning to discuss China's participation in development of biotechnologies in Belarus with Xi

MINSK. Nov 7 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said he is planning to discuss China's participation in further development of the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future.

"I especially want to thank my good old friend, Xi Jinping. If not for his decision. [...] It was a strong-willed decision. Everything depended on the Chinese president. I asked him in a human, friendly way when we had our talks," Lukashenko said at a ceremony, which launched production of animal feed and amino acids at the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation.

"I am deeply grateful to this man for his support," the Belarusian state-run news agency BelTA quoted Lukashenko as saying.

The corporation project is not over, Lukashenko said, adding that the third and fourth stages were still ahead. The enterprise will be manufacturing drugs and medical supplies. "A whole cluster is to grow here, a huge amalgamation," he said.

"We will meet with the Chinese president shortly and will agree on the third stage," he said.

Lukashenko did not rule out construction of the fourth stage of the enterprise.

"The groundwork has been laid. We have agreed on building this plant and manufacturing drugs here. This is the kind of cluster to be built on this land," he said.