A Czech company is investing about 50 million euros in the creation of a transport and logistics complex at the Vitebsk airport.

August 18, Minsk /Olga Belyavskaya - BELTA/. A major Czech company will invest about 50 million euros in the creation of a transport and logistics complex at the Vitebsk airport. This was announced today at a press conference by Pavel Bozhanov, Head of the Department of Strategic Development, Coordination and Investment of Transport Systems of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, in response to a question from a BELTA correspondent.

The representative of the Ministry of Transport explained that the project envisages the construction of warehouse facilities, a service area, as well as the creation of an airline based at the Vitebsk airport and an aircraft maintenance center. "In June, an investment agreement was concluded with a Czech investor, providing for the development of the infrastructure of Vitebsk Airport and the creation of a transport and logistics complex on its basis," said Pavel Bozhanov.

He also recalled the planned project for the construction of a large multimodal transport and logistics center based on the Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant. Negotiations are underway with several investors. Pavel Bozhanov explained that a Hong Kong company, with which cooperation is planned, has shown interest in operating the runway of the airport located near the plant and attracting aircraft with cargo from China.

"The project presentation has already taken place, cargo flows have been assessed, and measures necessary to improve the infrastructure have been identified," he said. "At the same time, the Hong Kong company has not shown readiness to invest in the development of the Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant itself." In this regard, negotiations were held this year with another, Belarusian, investor who is interested in participating in the development of the Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant.

"This year, an investor has emerged who has shown interest in the reconstruction and further development of the plant," added Pavel Bozhanov. He did not specify the volume of investments planned to be attracted to the project. "It is difficult to talk about specific figures yet, the negotiation process is ongoing," he said. The representative of the Ministry of Transport noted that the Orsha plant has a strong foundation, but currently the demand for its services is not high. In this regard, a new format for the enterprise's development with investor participation is being considered.-0-