Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ) is expected to set up a joint venture in Azerbaijan in 2008. Products of the joint venture will be sold in Azerbaijan and exported to the neighbouring countries. Last year the assembling facility in Azerbaijan assembled over 400 MTZ vehicles.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in 2007 Azerbaijan ranked sixth in Belarus’ foreign trade with the CIS states. In 2007 the trade turnover swelled by 140% up on 2007 to $89.7 million. Belarus’ export to Azerbaijan increased by 150% to $86.4 million.

Belarus mainly supplies Azerbaijan with such products as mechanical engineering goods, woodworking products, industrial consumer goods and food.

In January-February 2008 the mutual trade increased by 130% to approach $17 million, with Belarus’ export as high as $16.4 million.

An enterprise was set up at premises of Gyanja automobile plant in March 2007 to assemble MTZ tractors. In 2007 the enterprise assembled and sold around 430 various tractors.