Opinions & Interviews
Belarus invites Iran to advance economic cooperation
MINSK, 4 May (BelTA) – Belarusian Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov has invited Iran to advance economic cooperation to a qualitatively new level. The head of the Belarusian government made a relevant statement as he met with Iranian Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh on 4 May, BelTA has learned.
“Our countries have achieved considerable cooperation results in innovations, science, technology, education, and culture. Still, the bilateral trade figures are not very high. In 2015, the trade amounted to some $70 million, which is significantly below our potential. I am confident that our trade and economic cooperation will reach a qualitatively new level in the near future, and we will manage to boost our mutual trade,” Andrei Kobyakov noted.
The Prime Minister stressed that today the priority is placed on the implementation of the roadmap for strengthening Belarusian-Iranian cooperation in 2016-2017.
Andrei Kobyakov confirmed that Belarusian enterprises are ready to increase exports of a wide range of machinery to Iran and provide high-quality servicing and maintenance. “Belarusian exporters are interested in expanding the supplies of trucks, quarry machinery, road building equipment, municipal vehicles, farm machines and oil products that are in high demand on the Iranian market,” the Prime Minister said.
Belarus also hopes for the development of manufacturing cooperation. “I am confident that the support that Iran provides to the project to set up a plant to assemble trucks and MAZ passenger buses in Tabriz will set a positive example in strengthening the cooperation ties between our countries,” Andrei Kobyakov emphasized.
As for investment cooperation, Iranian companies currently implement nine important investment projects in Belarus to the total tune of almost $700 million. Investments are channeled mainly into industry, transport and logistics, agriculture, and construction. A number of Iranian companies enjoy privileges with respect to the implementation of projects in Belarus.
“I believe that the Belarusian-Iranian cooperation has great prospects. We are ready to take all the necessary measures to achieve practical results,” Andrei Kobyakov said.
For his part, Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh thanked Belarus for the warm welcome and expressed readiness to step up cooperation in different fields.
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