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Poland may invest in food plants in Belarus amid Russia`s food ban

Poland considers investing in food plants in Belarus that would process its farm produce for exports to Russia, Polish Agriculture Minister Marek Sawicki said in an interview broadcast by the ONT television channel on August 24.

Mr. Sawicki said that Polish farm produce processed into foodstuffs in Belarus would not be subject to Russia`s EU food ban.

"We will be discussing the establishment of joint companies at all levels, meetings will be held to discuss investments," said the minister.

He added that discussions were also held between Polish authorities and businesspeople on the possibility of investing in Belarusian food plants. "Hopefully, specific decisions and agreements will appear in the near future," he said.

According to Mr. Sawicki, the Belarusian government warned that Polish farm produce would have to be processed and would not be simply re-exported by Belarusian companies to Russia in violation of Russia`s ban.

Polish food producers also consider tapping new markets because of Russia`s embargo and may boost exports to the United States and Canada, said Mr. Sawicki. // BelaPAN