Severstal sales department representatives, headed by Dmitry Goroshokov, Severstal's sales director, went on a business trip to Belorussia.
   This visit follows the meeting of Russian and Belorussian presidents, which covered issues of economic cooperation and joint ventures. Severstal has planned to conduct negotiations with top managers of several Belorussian companies, including the household appliances companies Atlant and Brestgasapparat.
   Both companies Atlant and Brestgasapparat are of importance to Severstal. Cold rolled steel, made at Severstal, is used for making of the walls of refrigerators. Freezers are made out of Severstal made galvanizing steel. Atlant buys 1200-1400 tonnes of Severstal products, which cover 50% of its demand for steel. 70% of metal which is used by Brestgasapparat is also supplied by Severstal. The bodies of Gefest stoves excluding its upper panel are made out of Cherepovets metal
   Negotiations of Severstal and Atlant will focus on current relationship between the parties and issues of quality and delivery. Lengthening of the duration of contracts will also be discussed. Quarter or half year contracts as opposed to monthly contracts will save time to both parties.
   The meeting of Severstal and Brestgasapparat will take form of a Coordinating Council. As parties has already agreed on prices and product specifications, they will speak of the improvement in their relationship. In particular, Severstal and Brestgasapparat will discuss the beginning of production of a special grade of steel, developed specifically for Brestgasapparat. At Brestgasapparat the metal in the process of making of stoves is covered with enamel. The new grade of steel, developed by Severstal, is better suited for this type of surface treatment.