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Lukashenko: Belarus sees great opportunities in African market

MINSK, 24 October (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about Belarus’ plans for the African market as he met with youth activists in Minsk on 24 October, BelTA has learned.

During the meeting, it was noted that Belarus is an export-oriented state. In this regard, the head of state was asked what the country's priorities are in foreign markets.

Belarus pays special attention to geographically distant countries, in particular to the African market. "We are welcome there. Having freed themselves from the colonial yoke, they are now very afraid of being swallowed up again. That’s why they are looking to us," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

As an example, the president cited cooperation with Equatorial Guinea. Only a couple of million people live here, but it is a very rich state. And next to it is Nigeria with a population of 200 million, and Belarus can enter this market in the future.

Moreover, Belarusians are ready not only to sell goods and technologies to African countries, but also to share competencies in a variety of fields. "I told them that we can teach their people how to do it. We are not here as colonialists. Now they are increasingly looking to us. They are ready to pay for everything," the head of state emphasized. “But we cannot print money, like the Americans, to give them a loan for our technologies. These are rich countries, but the main thing for them is independence and sovereignty. They don't see any danger in us."

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus’ goods and services are now in great demand on the Russian market. Sometimes there are not even enough resources to satisfy all the requests of partners. "Hence my strict requirement to the government, namely to move in now, to gain a foothold in the market. Time is of the essence. So far, it works for us, but it will not always be so," the president said.

Belarus has preserved Soviet enterprises and built them further. Their products are in demand in the neighboring country. "Russia has realized that Belarus produces everything. For example they need elevators and we produce them. Today we even cannot keep up with the demand. Tractors, agricultural machinery, plows are in demand too. In terms of food processing our main markets are Russia and China. We produce twice as much as we need," the head of state said.

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