Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 17 September (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to actively promote economic integration in Eurasia, Belarus’ Economy Minister Vladimir Zinovsky said speaking at the 14^th session of the SCO Economy and Trade Ministers Meeting in Xian, China on 17 September, BelTA learnt from the Economy Ministry of Belarus.

Vladimir Zinovsky presented his report on the areas of cooperation development with SCO member states and Belarus’ role in the organization. He stressed that taking into account the decision made at the Ufa summit on 10 July 2015 to give Belarus the observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Belarus intends to expand cooperation in the trade, economic, investment, sci-tech, transport, energy, IT, agricultural, humanitarian and other sectors.

According to him, Belarus is ready to actively assist the integration of the Eurasian Economic Union with the Silk Road Economic Belt and promote economic integration in Eurasia.

Vladimir Zinovsky stated that playing the role of an important transport and logistic, information and communication hub in the Silk Road Economic Belt project, Belarus suggests an efficient platform for project implementation in the Eurasian region – the China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone is already viewed as an important part of the new Silk Road. Special attention is paid to the regional trade and economic cooperation.

As for the humanitarian activities, there are plans to set up in Belarus the Silk Road Academy, the Belarusian-Chinese analytical development center and other educational establishments, create conditions and mechanisms to expand tourism and youth exchange.

Attending the meeting in Xian were SCO member states, observer countries, including Belarus, and dialogue partners.

According to the Economy Ministry, Belarus maintains friendly relations and close economic ties will almost every SCO member state. In 2014 Belarus’ trade with the SCO totaled $42 billion, up one third over the past five years. The SCO gross investment in the Belarusian economy made up $6.7 billion, or 43% of the total foreign investment in the country.