While making investment in an industrial park near Minsk, China may increase freight transportation via Lithuania, the head of Lithuanian Railways representative office in China believes, Rolandas Brazinskas said. But he doubts that China’s companies could participate in Rail Baltica, the European-standard gauge railway project, as this would require compliance with the European requirements.
“The new Silk Road policy means that the Chinese are going to Europe, want to get closer to the EU market and it’s possible to get closer via the relocation of production to Belarus. And the development of such huge parks means concentration of production potential close to Europe. If they are successful, this will in any case generate large freight flows,” Brazinskas said.
If all went as planned, the flow of freight going from Belarus to Lithuania would be more diversified and would not be limited to just potassic fertilizers, timber and equipment, he said, adding that the establishment of infrastructure by China Merchants Group in Lithuania would ensure a continuous freight flow.
Late in November, Lithuania and China signed eleven agreements in Beijing, which are expected to open the way for China’s investment in Lithuania.
At that time, China Merchants Group (CMG) and Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai signed an agreement establishing a joint forwarding and logistical venture. In addition, CMG plans to establish a logistical park in Klaipeda, to invest in the seaport and become the owner of one of its terminals and a potential partner for further development of the port.
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