The Belwest shoes manufacturer in Belarus have formed a joint-venture with Russia’s Politeks that will help Belwest increase their production, according to the Belta news agency. The main aim of the venture will be to increase Belwest’s sales on the Russian market. Sales on this market increased to 49% of total sales in the first four months of this year, from 41% in the same period in 2002. Belwest recorded sales worth BRB660m (US$326,000) in the January to April period this year.

Source: Belta news agency (Belarus), May 20, 2003.