Business news

MINSK, 1 December (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to provide Tajikistan with vehicles, equipment, and machines and is interested in directly buying cotton fiber. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement during expanded-participation negotiations with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon on 1 December, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian head of state said: “We are ready to fully satisfy Tajikistan’s demand for automobiles, road construction machines, mining machines, and other vehicles and machines you may need.”

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that Tajikistan is busy developing its hydropower industry and mining industry. Belarus is sincerely glad that the construction of the Rogun hydropower plant has reached the final stage. “We hope that Belarusian companies will take a most active part in the projects you are implementing,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, it is important to develop economic relations. “This year we’ve managed to increase trade turnover and start assembling MTZ and Bobruiskagromash agricultural machines in the city of Hisor. It is a good foundation for taking the relations to the next level,” believes the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko said: “We can expand the choice of products made in Hisor with utility vehicles, construction machines, and fire engines. It is necessary to use this assembly enterprise to set up a multifunctional center that will ensure an integral approach to the joint production of vehicles and machines. Apart from assembling the vehicles the center should offer aftersales service and train local specialists well.”

Taking into account Belarusian experience it is possible to open a resource center at a vocational school in Tajikistan in order to offer advanced training courses to blue-collar workers.

The Belarusian head of state noted that a lot has been done recently to considerably upgrade the housing and utilities system in the city of Dushanbe. The city’s mass transit system has been fitted with a Belarusian fare payment and control system this year. Belarus is ready to continue cooperation in this field. “Belarusian companies are experienced in making buses, trolleybuses, and utility vehicles. Since we sell these vehicles all over the world and get positive feedback from customers, we can boldly offer these products to our friends. By the way, the president also told me today that our mechanical engineering products are in huge demand in the region,” stated Alexander Lukashenko.

A new kind of environmentally friendly transportation — the electric bus — is being trialed in Minsk. The electric bus demonstrates good technical and economic parameters. Tajikistani government agencies have been invited to get familiar with its operational capabilities. “Moreover, in one or two years you will have electricity to spare,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

In turn, Belarus is interested in directly buying high-quality products from Tajikistan. “Your cotton fiber. We will also consider other proposals of your manufacturers,” specified Alexander Lukashenko.

Alexander Lukashenko believes it is necessary to vigorously advance manufacturing cooperation ties, make products that sell well, and promote them to third-country markets.

The sides also welcome active contacts at the regional level, which often drive interstate cooperation.

Alexander Lukashenko said: “I am convinced that your current visit will become another step on the way to stronger Belarus-Tajikistan cooperation, to stronger friendship between our nations.” He stressed that Tajikistan is a friendly state and a reliable partner for Belarus. “We established brotherly, friendly, and warm relations with the president of Tajikistan a long time ago,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

“Despite complicated conditions your country develops. It is recovering from the crisis me and you have lived through. Tajikistan takes part in large-scale projects for building power lines, hydropower plants, for improving living standards in the country’s capital — the magnificent city of Dushanbe that I love. I am convinced that strong economy is crucial to national security. Strong economy offers the best shield against external threats: terrorism, extremism, and other negative phenomena of the modern world,” said Alexander Lukashenko.