Kiev to boost agricultural trade with China

KIEV - Kiev is stepping up its efforts to fully join the Belt-and-Road Initiative, viewing it as a great opportunity to boost agricultural trade between Asia and Europe, especially between China and Ukraine, a senior Ukrainian official told Xinhua.

"It is very important for us to take the advantage as a Silk Road country and let agricultural producers to reap benefits from it," Vladyslava Rutytska, an advisor to Ukrainian Agriculture Minister, told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview.

Next year, Ukraine plans to open a cargo train route to China via the rail-sea Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) -- an international corridor, which is part of China's Belt-and-Road Initiative.

According to Rutytska, the main advantage of the new train service is allowing a faster transfer of agricultural products from Ukraine to China.

"The Silk Road is an essential trade tool, because the goods could be delivered to consumers within 12 to 14 days, while their transportation on the traditional maritime routes takes between 28 and 30 days. It is of great significance for the producers of short-lived commodities," Rutytska said.

Although China became Ukraine's largest trading partner in agriculture and food products last year, accounting for 7.2 percent of the total trade, the East European country estimates that the potential of bilateral sales between the two sides is untapped.

According to Rutytska, opening a new route for transferring the goods would allow China and Ukraine to boost and diversify their agricultural merchandising.

"For our manufacturers, the Belt-and-Road Initiative means increased trade in dairy products and organic products, our traditionally strong sectors. Also, we are working with China on the opening of the berries and fruits markets," she said.

Apart from boosting its commercial cooperation with China, Ukraine is also willing to explore new trade opportunities with other countries encompassed in the TITR corridor, Rutytska noted.

"For the agricultural sector, it is very important to establish cooperation with all the countries on this route, namely Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and other states," she said.

According to the official, Ukraine views the establishment of the new logistic link not only as a tool to boost its exports, but also as an instrument to import more goods from Asian countries.

Speaking about the prospects to extend the route via Ukraine to Europe, the official said that many European Union countries welcome this initiative.

"Northern European counties are keen to export their products to China and the transit link through Ukraine is a good opportunity for them, Rutytska said.

For Ukraine, the Silk Road is a step towards an increased trade and prosperity of the business, and the country is doing its utmost to join the initiative, she said.