Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 December (BelTA) - Belarus and Sudan aim for the advanced multidimensional economic relations, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko told reporters after the talks with Sudan President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir on 10 December, BelTA informs.

“We aim for the advanced multidimensional economic relations rather for the simple exchange of commodities. For these purposes, we introduce a project-oriented approach in the organization of Belarusian export to Sudan,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

In particular, the Belarusian side promotes its services, equipment and machinery for the implementation of various projects in machine building and dairy production, growing vegetables and sprouts using Belarusian technologies, gold mining. Belarus believes that this approach is mutually beneficial, the president stressed.

“The two countries located at the crossroads of crucial regions have a huge potential. Belarus connects Europe and Asia, is part of the Eurasian Economic Union. Sudan is a bridge between the Arab civilization and Africa, the gates to the African continent,” the head of state said. “We can offer a lot to this region. Therefore, it is essential to work together, make joint products and promote them in Africa and here, in Eurasia.”

First of all, Belarus is focused on the export of high-tech products to Sudan and joint enterprises. “We believe that the efforts to bolster and diversify Belarus’ export should not only meet our interests but also contribute to the economic development of Sudan. These efforts should help the Sudanese side promote industrial and agricultural development, improve personnel training,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Last year Belarus exported haul trucks, high-tech prototypes of grain harvesters and energy-intensive tractors, road construction and agricultural equipment to Sudan for the first time. The deliveries of freight vehicles were resumed, efforts are taken to launch the export of grain drying complexes to Sudan.

“We have established inter-bank cooperation, developed efficient financial mechanisms of export crediting. All that is needed for our enterprises and business. As far as I understand, there are no barriers today,” the president said.

In January-October 2018, the export of Belarusian products to Sudan almost doubled in comparison with the same period of the previous year. “We need to continue advancing the Belarusian-Sudanese cooperation, first of all, in trade and economy, to a brand-new level. This was our agreement with the president,” the Belarusian head of state said.

The sides are also eager to develop cooperation in the trilateral format, including South Sudan. “The president supported my proposals regarding such cooperation,” Alexander Lukashenko added.