Opinions & Interviews

LIDA, 27 May (BelTA) - Belarus and Lithuania can plays a big logistics role in the Silk Road Economic Belt project, Belarus Deputy Economy Minister Alexander Yaroshenko told reports on the sidelines of the 12th Belarusian-Lithuanian Forum in Lida, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus and Lithuania should take an active part together with China Merchants Group, our Chinese partners in the Industrial Park Great Stone, in the development of the economic logistics scheme of the Silk Road Economic Belt,” Alexander Yaroshenko said. In this global project promoted by the People’s Republic of China Belarus and Lithuania can play a big role in the final stage of the chain linking the Eurasian space and the European Union,” he said. “In this project, both our countries have a huge potential and we should develop it,” he said.

“At the moment we are actively studying the idea proposed by China Merchants Group to conclude an agreement on establishing a free trade zone between China, Belarus and Lithuania with its center in the Industrial Park Great Stone. Signing such an agreement will help involve the transport and logistic potential of the two countries to service the trade flows between Asia and Europe. We are working on the legislative aspects of this initiative,” Alexander Yaroshenko said.

When speaking at the forum, Alexander Yaroshenko emphasized that every year this event brings together more and more participants. The interest of the Lithuanian business community in the Belarusian economy is growing. Belarus, in turn, seeks to create optimal conditions for business, investment, trade and tourism. “We are interested in cooperation with Lithuania and are exploring the opportunities for joint access to markets of other countries,” he added.

Attending the 12th Belarusian-Lithuanian Economic Forum, which is running in the town of Lida on 26-27 May, are representatives of about 120 Lithuanian companies and over 100 Belarusian companies, and also government officials and diplomats.