MAZ will produce cars for the Pakistan army?

The Belarusian company is interested in cooperation with the military organizations of Pakistan.

A Belarus delegation headed by Sergey Romanov, OJSC MAZ Minsk Automobile Plant on Thursday called on Minister of State/Chairman Board of Investment (BoI), Saleem H. Mandviwalla to explore investment opportunities in the field of 'Assembly and Manufacturing of Heavy Vehicles' in Pakistan. 

Belarus delegation was interested in production of tractors and other vehicles in Pakistan due to lower cost of production, lower taxes and cheap labour, as it would also help develop the local industry, which was an added advantage to the investors. 

The major interest of the Belarusian Company was to collaborate with the Pakistan Military organisations in production of heavy vehicles in Pakistan for which they were already in contact with Pakistan Army. 

Chairman BoI apprised the delegation that Pakistan has one of the lowest motorization levels (8 vehicles per 1000 persons) in Asia compared to India (11), Sri Lanka (25), and Malaysia (641), indicating a domestic market rife with growth potential. The removal of 5 percent excise duty would enhance sales growth. Fall in steel prices has massively reduced the cost of production of vehicles, he added.