Swiss train manufacturer denies Lukashenko wants Russians to participate in Stadler plant
Belarus is planning to put the former Stadler plant back into operation in the country and bring Russian partners on board. The Swiss train manufacturer denies this.
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- The Stadler plant near the Belarusian capital Minsk is to be restarted.
- According to a media report, the Belarusian government wants to find Russian partners to resume production at the plant.
- However, Stadler describes the plans as speculation - and does not want to sell.
In 2014, Swiss train manufacturer Stadler opened a plant near the Belarusian capital Minsk. The commissioning of the factory met with great interest in the country, with ruler Lukashenko praising Peter Spuhler as an energetic entrepreneur, the likes of which are rarely seen anymore.
However, following the imposition of sanctions for electoral fraud and repression of the population, the train manufacturer reduced operations to a minimum. However, Stadler intends to resume operations once the sanctions are lifted, as reported by the Tages-Anzeiger (paid content).
Lukashenko wants to produce trains
Lukashenko apparently has other plans. His transport minister Alexei Lyakhnovich announced to the Belarusian parliament that Belarus was working "together with the Russian Federation" to ramp up production at Stadler Minsk.
A "kind of joint venture" is being considered. These considerations are a consequence of the Western sanctions, which would affect production.
The Russian railroad construction group Transmashholding and the somewhat smaller Dinara Group were mentioned in Belarusian media close to the regime as possible Russian partners for the Stadler plant.
Stadler denies - and does not want to sell
According to the article, it could be difficult for Stadler to turn down such an "offer" from the Lukashenko regime. The newspaper bases this on statements by Pavel Latushka, an exiled member of the Belarusian opposition and former minister.
In a statement to the news agency AWP, Stadler rejects the rumors. Stadler CEO Spuhler is quoted as saying: "Stadler has absolutely no indication that Belarus has any plans to change the ownership structure of our plant in Minsk," he said. "Speculation about expropriations or Russian shareholdings has no objective basis whatsoever. Stadler firmly rejects such speculation." The sanctions have always been complied with 100 percent, Spuhler continued.
According to Spuhler, the number of employees at the plant fell from around 2000 to 200.
With material from sda.
