Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 September (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in enhancing investment cooperation with India and working on new joint projects. The matter was discussed as Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, curator of the Belarusian-Indian cooperation, met with Chhotu Ram Chaudhary, Minister of Commerce and Industry of India, BelTA learned from the press service of the upper house of the Belarusian parliament.

The parties discussed the cooperation in trade, economy, science and humanitarian area. Mikhail Myasnikovich noted a positive dynamics of partnership with India. “We are satisfied with the level of our cooperation. However, we could have more economic projects. We have many points of alignment,” he noted.

The speaker said that among priority areas for cooperation are pharmaceutics, IT, and investment. For example, Belarus is building three pharmaceutical plants in cooperation with its Indian partners. “I believe that soon we will be able to start the construction of a fourth plant in cooperation with the Cipla company,” the speaker added. He asked the Indian colleagues to pay special attention to these projects.

The two countries have a great potential to boost trade and step up business cooperation. During the meeting, Mikhail Myasnikovich raised the topic of the access of Belarusian quarry machinery to the Indian market. He asked the minister to take the issue under special control. Belarus has met the necessary Indian conditions and is waiting for a positive outcome of the issue.

During the meeting special consideration was given to the activities of the Belarusian-Indian inter-parliamentary cooperation commission in trade, economy, science, technologies and culture. Mikhail Myasnikovich noted the importance of the commission in strengthening bilateral cooperation and developing contacts.

For his part, Chhotu Ram Chaudhary thanked the chairman of the Council of the Republic for the in-depth discussion of the agenda of bilateral relations. Talking to the media, he noted that the Indian business community is interested in the Belarusian market and highlighted joint projects to build the pharmaceutical plants. Belarus and India have much to be proud of in the pharmaceutical industry. The minisiter assured that the two countries have good opportunities in the area.