MINSK, 30 January (BelTA) – The Transport and Communications Ministry of Belarus, Ukraine’s Motor Sich and the private company Systems of Investments and Innovations have signed an investment contract on upgrading the Orsha aircraft repair plant, BelTA learnt from the ministry’s aviation department. The agreement was concluded during a visit of the senior officials of the company to Minsk. There are plans to build a modern warehouse terminal, office buildings that will house customs services, a bank, and a leasing company. The project provides for building a hotel and a cafe for aircraft crews and road carriers. The transportation and logistics center will be located at the crossroads of the second and ninth international transport corridors. An airfield nearby can handle virtually all types of craft, there is a railway access, too. In the future the center will be able to handle cargo traffic from various countries, including China. In late 2011 the Belarus President signed an order on selling the state shares of the Orsha aircraft repair plant. The government’s stake in the company is sold to investors, with Systems of Investments and Innovations holding 1,488,171 shares and Motor Sich owning 2,232,256 shares (nearly 60%). The two companies intend to invest at least $12 million into the plant in 2012-2016. By April 2012 the Council of Ministers expects to receive a comprehensive concept on development of the logistics center with using the potential of the Orsha airfield.

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