Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 13 November (BelTA) – Belarus-Turkey economic relations can advance to a new level when simple commodity trade evolves into cooperation in the manufacturing industry, investment and joint tech projects, Prime Minister Sergei Rumas said as he met with Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Binali Yildirim on 13 November, BelTA has learned.

“This goal can be achieved by combining our competitive advantages, implementing joint projects in mechanical engineering, chemical industry, textile industry, financial sector, transport and logistics and other industries,” Sergei Rumas noted.

“Our bilateral trade has demonstrated substantial growth, expanding more than five times over the past ten years. We expect the trade to hit $1 billion by the yearend, for the first time in the history of Belarus-Turkey relations,” he noted.

The Belarusian government plans to discuss promising economic projects at a regular session of the Belarus-Turkey intergovernmental commission due to take place at the beginning of next year. “We will thoroughly prepare for that, as we view the session as a very important step shaping the economic agenda of the official visit of the Belarusian president to Turkey,” the premier noted.

“We have always regarded Turkey as a trusted friend, a promising partner in the international arena, and also as a hub for building up the Belarusian economic presence in the region of the Middle East and North Africa. In turn, Belarus can host Turkish logistics centers and industrial companies oriented to the Eurasian Economic Union and the CIS,” Sergei Rumas noted.

Binali Yildirim said that the Turkish Grand National Assembly will make every effort to strengthen relations between Belarus and Turkey. “The forthcoming visit of the Belarusian president to Turkey will be of great importance and will open a new page in our relations,” he said.

In January-September 2018 the trade between Belarus and Turkey rose by 13% over the same period of 2017 to total $755.6 million. Belarus major exports to Turkey include potash fertilizers, acrylonitril, synthetic fibers and yarns, steel semi-finished products and fibers, linen fabrics, butter, milk powder. Work is in progress to set up facilities to assemble Gomselmash harvesters, Amkodor construction and special machinery in Turkey and to supply BelAZ rock haulers to the Turkish market.