Auto ambitions set to drive Belarus growth
Bank of China, which supports Chinese companies going abroad under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
“We hold two conferences every month to provide progress updates. They are hosted by Vladimir Semashko, the deputy prime minister, and are attended by several senior officials,” said Cheng Wennong, deputy director of production at Geely Belarus, the local subsidiary.
Vladimir Pavlovich, assistant to the plant’s general manager, said the technology at the new base is the most advanced in Belarus, and he and his Chinese colleagues aim to produce high-quality cars to satisfy the needs of local customers.
In August, Zhang Xiao arrived in Minsk to help test and calibrate the equipment used on the automated production lines. He also trains local workers.
“I don’t speak Russian, so working here makes life a little lonely. But I feel a lot of responsibility because what we do represents the high standards of the made-in-China brand,” said the 25-year-old engineer from Huainan, Anhui province.
Six months ago, Dmitry Khomich, a Belarusian national, left his job as a welder with the Minsk Motor Engine Factory and joined Geely.
Having been trained by Chinese technicians, Khomich is confident about the move.
“Belarus doesn’t yet have its own car companies or experienced professional workers from the industry, that’s why working for Geely is so attractive to me,” he said.
“I had three months training in China, and I’m now working on my own to gain more professional and managerial knowledge because I believe this is a promising industry for Belarus, thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative.”
Workers from the two countries have different cultures, languages and even dietary habits, but everyone has cooperated harmoniously.” Huang Zhihua, head of the China Merchants Group’s project in the ChinaBelarus Industrial Park
Contact the writer at renqi@ chinadaily.com.cn