MOSCOW, 28 June (BelTA) - Belarus is ready to strengthen cooperation with Latin American countries in all areas, Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Shestakov said at the Belarus-Latin America Forum at the Business and Cultural Complex of the Belarusian Embassy in Moscow on 28 June, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus attaches special importance to the development of a fruitful dialogue with Latin American and Caribbean countries and is ready to strengthen cooperation in all areas. We are following with great interest the situation in the Latin American region, the integration processes taking place there, and we see significant potential for strengthening relationships, both bilaterally and as part of the establishment of close contacts between the regional integration organizations,” Evgeny Shestakov said.
According to the deputy minister of foreign affairs, Belarus has already gained some positive experience in the Latin American market. “This includes participation of Belarusian companies in geological and seismic exploration, mining in Venezuela and Ecuador, construction projects in Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru, supplies of Belarusian agricultural, automotive and passenger vehicles to Venezuela, Cuba, Argentina, Colombia, Nicaragua and Bolivia, export of mining equipment to Venezuela and Chile,” he listed. Evgeny Shestakov emphasized that most Latin American countries are also familiar with Belarus as a supplier of fertilizers, oil products and rolled metal products.
The forum gathered representatives of Latin American embassies in Belarus and Russia. These were ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions and other diplomats from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador and El Salvador.
Director of the Belarusian National Center for Marketing Nikolai Borisevich made a presentation of Belarus’ trade and economic opportunities and proposals to Latin American partners. Belneftekhim Deputy Chairman Vladimir Sizov briefed the forum participants about the export potential of the Belarusian petrochemical industry. Anatoly Grinevich, deputy head of the Central Office for Foreign Economic Relations at the Industry Ministry, spoke about the capabilities of the Belarusian industrial sector. Kirill Yermolovich, head of marketing strategy, domestic sales and export at the Belpharmprom holding company, made a presentation of the Belarusian pharmaceutical industry.
The Belarus-Latin America Forum was organized by the National Center for Marketing jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus.