A French Group of Companies, DEHONDT Technologies Développement, Will Start Producing Machinery for Flax Harvesting and Processing in the Smolensk Region

After the session devoted to business dialogue between Russia and France at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum an official signing of an agreement on cooperation was held between the Administration of the Smolensk Region and DEHONDT Technologies Développement Group (France). The document was signed by Governor Alexey Ostrovsky and CEO of the Group Guillaume Dehondt at the exhibition stand of the Smolensk Region. 

DEHONDT Technologies Développement are currently specializing in engineering development and production of a full range of equipment used for flax straw (treated plant fibres) cultivating and harvesting as well as for long-fibre flax primary processing. The company activity is aimed at upgrading the flax industry in European countries, reequipment of industrial facilities, as well as at increasing the yield and quality of the processed flax fibre. The company manufactures a full range of state-of-the-art mobile flax harvesting equipment, which usage is supposed to boost the labour efficiency.

It is worth noting that following the instructions given by Governor Alexey Ostrovsky, flax growing was and is a key line of developing agribusiness in the Smolensk Region. The Administration of the Smolensk Region performs systematic activities aimed to involve investors in promising projects for flax growing and processing. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Trade there has been created a special cluster aimed at manufacturing high-quality linen products in the Smolensk Region. Today the region is the only constituent entity of the Russian Federation, which has received support from the Government in this sector. It should be reminded that the Governor held a working meeting with the representatives of DEHONDT Technologies Développement in January this year, at which the company CEO Guillaume Dehondt expressed his willingness to become a member of the cluster and contribute to its further development. Besides, the company chief executive initiated signing a cooperation agreement at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Within the framework of this agreement the investors from France are supposed to locate their industrial complex based on Vyazma Machine Building Plant JSC to produce flax harvesting machines and equipment used for primary processing of long-fibre flax, that will enable to fully cover the needs of the Smolensk Region in special-purpose machines (seeding machines, flaw pullers, flax harvesters, etc.). As a result of the investment project implementation, it is expected to double the fibre-flax growing area within the region by 2025.

Having signed the agreement, Governor Alexey Ostrovsky has pointed out the following: “I am glad that such a large French company as DEHONDT Technologies Développement has chosen the Smolensk Region for implementing their investment project. I have no doubt that the investments expected to be made in the regional economics by Mr. Dehondt and the company he represents will afford good profit. In its turn, this will help create new jobs, increase tax revenues and allow for greater commitment while executing orders given by the President related to social policy and aimed at improving the living standards of the Smolensk Region residents.”

For his part, Mr. Dehondt extended special gratitude to Governor Alexey Ostrovsky for cooperation: “We are extremely pleased that our project in Russia is to start in the Smolensk Region and that it has already been officially launched.”