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Vladimir Semashko said: “We have already started implementing the previously reached agreements. Tractor assembly kits have been shipped to the joint venture. They are supposed to arrive one of these days. Then tractor assemblying will begin. Apart from that, we are ready to start an enterprise to assemble automobiles for various purposes — trucks, dump trucks, buses.”

In his words, Belarus is interested in assembling agricultural machines in Egypt. The relevant agreement has been reached already. “These machines are absolutely competitive,” assured the Belarusian deputy prime minister. “We make 100% of the machines we need to farm all the necessary crops, fully satisfying the domestic demand. These machines represent a considerable part of the export, too. We hope you will like these machines, too.” Vladimir Semashko went on saying that by setting up a joint venture in Egypt, Belarus intends to penetrate not only the Egyptian market but a large part of Africa. “We hope our machines will be appreciated over there. It would be beneficial for us and for you,” stressed the deputy prime minister.

Vladimir Semashko invited the Egyptian side to consider buying Belarusian food, in particular, dairy products. He said he thought it would be advisable not to limit cooperation to simple trade. He suggested going as far as manufacturing cooperation.

The official mentioned the long-term nature of Belarusian-Egyptian cooperation, which began back in the Soviet Union time. “We have certain positions and well-established trade turnover. But when we learn that Belarus-Egypt trade reached only $57.8 million in 2016, we cannot be happy at all. We believe that these figures are pitiful and fall far below the potential. Moreover, our economies complement each other a lot: we have things we can offer to you on preferential terms while we can buy a lot from you,” said Vladimir Semashko.

A roadmap to guide Belarus-Egypt cooperation has been prepared and approved already. “This roadmap can be initialed during your visit and signed during the visit of your president to Belarus,” said Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko. He underscored that it is necessary to start implementing the agreements right away.