Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 18 August (BelTA) – Belarus intends to expand the range of exports shipped to Vietnam. Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov made the statement as he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Belarus Do Van Mai, whose diplomatic mission in Belarus is nearing completion, BelTA has learned.

Andrei Kobyakov noted that Belarus is interested in exporting more products to Vietnam, which have earned good reputation, such as potash fertilizers, trucks, mine dump trucks, giant tires, tractors, and metal products. He went on saying that Belarus would like to expand the export choice with radioelectronics, petrochemical industry goods, dairy products, confectionery and pharmaceutics. The Prime Minister mentioned positive dynamics of Belarus-Vietnam interaction in trade, economic, manufacturing cooperation, science and technology, and humanitarian ties. The dynamics has emerged recently. Andrei Kobyakov thanked Do Van Mai for his fruitful work and said he was confident that the ambassador’s successor would continue working well to develop Belarusian-Vietnamese relations.

The Prime Minister stated that Belarus attaches great significance to the development of joint projects for setting up assembly enterprises. He also mentioned the readiness to expand the choice of exported trucks and buses and provide assistance with vehicle maintenance. “We know about plans of the Vietnamese government to make motor vehicles of their own. We are ready to participate in the project with maximum localization of engine production in Vietnam,” he said.

The agreement on a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam was signed in May 2015. “We signed the agreement with great interest and willingness. It was the EEU’s first agreement on a free trade zone with a country outside the union. We believe it will create opportunities for promoting joint products to third-country markets,” noted Andrei Kobyakov.

The Belarusian head of government also stressed that Vietnam has always been a predictable, reliable and promising partner for Belarus. “We expect that the respectful and mutually beneficial relations will continue,” said the Prime Minister.

Andrei Kobyakov thanked Vietnam for lifting visa requirement for short-term travels for Belarusian citizens as of 1 July 2015. The decision will provide positive influence on the dynamics of bilateral contacts at all levels, he said.

In turn, Do Van Mai thanked Andrei Kobyakov for his appreciation of the ambassador’s efforts and expressed confidence that fruitful cooperation between the two countries will continue.