Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 October (BelTA) – Poland is ready to cooperate with Belarus in the implementation of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, Mateusz Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Finance of Poland, said at the meeting of the joint Belarusian-Polish commission on economic cooperation on 24 October, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus for us is a kind of the gate to the East. We, in turn, are ready to be the gate to the West, first of all, from the economic viewpoint. This also includes China’s One Belt, One Road initiative. Here, we can develop mutually beneficial cooperation for our countries and nations,” noted Mateusz Morawiecki.

In his words, Poland hopes that the mutual trade with Belarus will make up at least $4-5 billion in the coming years and the commission’s current session can be viewed as a turning point in addressing problem issues. “I think that $4-5 billion is the minimum that we can make,” the minister stressed. He suggested focusing on the development of innovative productions, cooperation in infrastructure projects and tourism.

“As for our long-term cooperation, I would like to say that it is of top priority for me to have the best cooperation with Belarus,” Mateusz Morawiecki said.

Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusy said that the countries may reach $4 billion in mutual trade in 2017-2018. The governments of Belarus and Poland will compile a roadmap of cooperation activities. Working groups can be set up if needed.

In January-August 2016 the Belarusian-Polish trade totaled almost $1.4 billion (10.6% up from the same period last year). Poland is Belarus’ third biggest trading partner behind Russia and Ukraine. It is sixth in export and third in import (after Russia and China). Belarus’ exports to Poland made up $584.4 million (14%), imports from Poland - $796.9 million (8.2%).