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Egypt seeks to expand cooperation in manufacturing with Belarus
MINSK, 31 May (BelTA) – Egypt is interested in cooperation in the manufacturing sector with Belarus, Secretary General of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce and the Union of African Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Professions Alaa Ezz told reporters at the opening of the second Belarusian-African Economic Forum on 31 May, BelTA has learned.
“We are trying to promote trilateral cooperation, because it does not make economic sense to directly supply Belarusian goods to African countries, since it is quite costly. We suggest the following scheme: we assemble, for example, Belarusian tractors in Egypt, then ship them from Egypt to other African countries. We have certain free trade zones, which removes some tariff barriers. Thus, everyone wins, because both Belarus and Egypt will grow their exports. With this in mind we came to the forum; about 35 Egyptian companies are taking part in it, and we hope that we will be able to promote this scheme for the common good,” Alaa Ezz said.
He put forward two more proposals for bilateral cooperation. “The first is a Belarus-made coronavirus vaccine, the second is an electric bus manufactured by Belarus. These can be very promising areas for cooperation,” he stressed. Also, the secretary general believes that good political relations between the two countries pave the way for mutually beneficial business contacts.
Minsk is hosting the second Belarusian-African Economic Forum on 31 May-1 June. On behalf of Belarus the forum is attended by representatives of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries, the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, and the country’s exporting enterprises from the heavy, light, mining and food industries, agriculture and other sectors. All in all, 170 companies sent their representatives for the forum.
On behalf of African countries the forum is attended by the deputy foreign minister of Mozambique, heads and representatives of embassies of African countries in Belarus, honorary consuls of African countries in Minsk, and the heads of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce and the Union of African Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Professions. All in all, the forum has drawn representatives of 14 African states.
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