Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 25 May (BelTA) – Belarus has invited China to enter the markets of third countries with joint projects in infrastructure and manufacturing industry, Belarus’ Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said it in an interview to Xinhua News Agency of China, BelTA has learned.

“We believe that meaningful and successful cooperation between Chinese and Belarusian contracting organizations serves as a great groundwork to implement joint infrastructure and manufacturing projects in third countries, for example, within the framework of the Belt and Road project,” Andrei Kobyakov said.

Belarus and China have completed 16 projects on the territory of Belarus. Another 16 projects estimated at the total of $8 billion are in progress. All these projects involve close cooperation of Chinese and Belarusian contractors.

Andrei Kobyakov underlined that due to its location Belarus is the junction for the Belt and Road Initiative in the Eurasian region, an important element of transport and logistics chain. Therefore, as soon as China’s President Xi Jinping came forward with the Belt and Road Initiative, Belarus started working on the format of its participation in this large-scale project.

According to the premier, the China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone is a great example of how the Belt and Road Initiative projects can be materialized.

“This is more than just an operating venue for companies from China and Belarus; it is an international business platform for companies from the Eurasian Economic Union member states and the entire world. At present, 34 resident companies from across the globe are registered at the park. Such platforms should drive economy growth in the future by attracting innovative businesses employing top-notch technologies and highly skilled workforce,” Andrei Kobyakov noted.