Donetsk, Nov 10 – DAN. Donetsk People’s Republic plans to launch three enterprises by year-end to produce welding electrodes, fasteners and cultivators, acting Minister of Industry and trade Alexei Granovsky told reporters on Thursday.

“We plan to launch three companies by year-end,” Granovsky said. “Arksel will manufacture electrodes; the Republic has no electrode makers for ferrous and non-ferrous metal welding. Donbass-Metiz will manufacture fasteners and Donbass-Agromash will manufacture agricultural tools.”

Beside nails and screws, Donbass-Metiz will also produce other metal products such as spades, axes, saws, etc. Agromash will produce cultivators and weeding equipment, the minister said.

The companies suspended operation in mid-2014. Ukraine’s economic blockade of the Republic was the major obstacle to resuming operation. The firms had to re-orient towards the Republic’s market and seek new destinations.
Earlier on Thursday, Granovsky said 18 industrial companies opened in DPR from May to October 2016.