Opinions & Interviews

ISLAMABAD, 10 November (BelTA) – All preconditions are in place for Belarus and Pakistan to increase mutual trade to $1 billion, Belarus’ Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov after a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, BelTA has learned.

"Last year, the trade between Belarus and Pakistan amounted to approximately $60 million. For our countries, which have the necessary economic potential and are raising the level of their relations, it is too small looking like a statistical error. I am sure that all preconditions are in place for the tow countries to increase the trade to at least $1 billion,” said Andrei Kobyakov.

He believes that this can be achieved by following the Belarus-Pakistan roadmap of bilateral cooperation for 2015-2020 which was signed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries on 10 November.

Andrei Kobyakov also stressed the importance of other documents signed today. "I would like to note the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters and an agreement on allocation of land plots for embassies. A number of agreements have been signed to develop interregional cooperation between Belarus’ oblasts and provinces of Pakistan,” said the Belarusian head of government.

According to the Prime Minister, Belarus is interested in moving from simple trade towards industrial cooperation. “We possess rich experience in cooperation with many countries in what concerns construction and equipping industrial and infrastructure facilities. We offer our experience to Pakistan that has been actively modernizing its industrial and agrarian sectors,” said Andrei Kobyakov. In his words, Belarus also sees opportunities for cooperation in agriculture and forestry.

The official visit of the Belarusian head of government in Pakistan will last from 9 to 11 November. It is expected that Andrei Kobyakov will meet with the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan on 10 November. The Belarusian-Pakistani business forum is scheduled for 11 November. The Belarusian Prime Minister is scheduled to attend a ceremony to inaugurate the Belarusian culture center at the National Library of Pakistan.

After the official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Andrei Kobyakov will go to the Republic of Turkey on a working visit on 11-12 November. The Belarusian Premier is expected to meet with the Turkish authorities and top managers of Turkish companies.