Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 12 April (BelTA) – The relations between Pakistan and Belarus have been developing at an unprecedented pace in recent years, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said during the meeting with Chairman of the House of Representatives of Belarus’ National Assembly Vladimir Andreichenko, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian parliament.

Vladimir Andreichenko had official meetings with Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain as part of the visit to Pakistan. “The Pakistani prime minister noted that over the past two years, the relations have been developing at an unprecedented pace, and the two countries continue strengthening the bilateral ties in different areas,” the press service said.

Nawaz Sharif noted that to intensify cooperation, it is necessary to establish regular interaction between the MPs, since the parliaments serve as important links in the development of ties among people, promotion of mutual understanding, and intensification of mutually beneficial cooperation. Nawaz Sharif suggested exchanging visits of members of the Pakistan-Belarus friendship groups.

Besides, Nawaz Sharif pointed out that the Pakistani economy is growing, which opens up new investment opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, pharmaceutical industry, light industry, mechanical engineering, and oil and gas sector. He said he was satisfied with the results of the fourth meeting of the joint economic commission that took place in Karachi in March 2017. Such meetings are a wonderful opportunity to advance economic cooperation, the prime minister added.

Vladimir Andreichenko and Nawaz Sharif considered prospects for setting up agricultural enterprises, trading houses, and joint ventures to process powdered milk and poultry meat. “We have developed good practices in design, construction and equipment of livestock breeding facilities, storehouses for vegetables and fruit, and greenhouses,” Vladimir Andreichenko said. He noted that Belarus can boost its exports of high-quality meat and dairy products and baby food considerably. The parties also discussed the possibility of establishing plants to assemble Belarusian tractors, harvesters and automotive vehicles in Pakistan.

Vladimir Andreichenko confirmed Belarus’ strong interest in developing ties with Pakistan in education, healthcare, and production of pharmaceuticals.

Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain stressed that Belarus’ participation in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will contribute to the economic development of the region.

The press service of the Belarusian parliament said that Vladimir Andreichenko also met with Pakistani Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan, co-chair of the Belarus-Pakistan joint commission for trade and economic cooperation.

The parties reviewed the status of implementation of the agreements reached during the fourth meeting of the joint commission. They considered specific steps to achieve the objective set by the leaders of the two countries to raise the bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2020. Vladimir Andreichenko and Khurram Dastgir Khan took note of the great potential in the production of pharmaceuticals, education, and sports.