Belarus, Pakistan agree to expand cooperation

Belarus and Pakistan have agreed to expand cooperation. The agreement is stipulated by the minutes of the sixth session of the Belarus-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation commission. The document was signed by Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich and Pakistani Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir, BelTA has learned.

Viktor Karankevich said: “The minutes represent a roadmap for stepping up bilateral cooperation. Agreements were reached on expanding trade and economic ties in spheres of mutual interest such as mechanical engineering, agriculture, science, education, and healthcare.”

In particular, Belarus is interested in stepping up deliveries of industrial goods to Pakistan. The possibility of selling Belarusian passenger vehicles, municipal vehicles, agricultural machines, mining machines, and textile industry products to Pakistan was discussed.

Partnership in agriculture is a priority. It goes beyond the readiness to sell more Belarusian food but also animal husbandry products: combined feed, protein supplements, and veterinary medications. The establishment of a Belarusian permanent exhibition center in Pakistan will help more actively promote agribusiness products. The project is under consideration.

Viktor Karankevich went on saying: “Pharmaceutics may become a mutually beneficial avenue of cooperation. Belarus is interested in exporting medications to Pakistan and is ready to consider the possibility of setting up joint pharmaceutical enterprises. The potential of Belarus' treatment and prevention institutions can be exploited for the development of medical tourism. The relevant proposals were forwarded to the Pakistani side, too.”

Opportunities for Belarus-Pakistan cooperation in science and high technologies were discussed at length. Nano and biotechnologies, laser optoelectronics, information and communications systems, aerospace and geoinformation systems were mentioned. “Belarusian scientific institutions have considerable experience and unique projects. They are ready to share new knowledge and technologies with Pakistani partners on mutually beneficial terms,” the Belarusian energy minister said.

An increase in bilateral contacts will also be fostered by new joint projects, which are supposed to be implemented in sport, culture, tourism, and museum business. Belarus is ready to enable as comfortable conditions as possible for the Pakistani private sector, Viktor Karankevich concluded.

The Belarusian Sports and Tourism Ministry and the Ministry of Interprovincial Coordination of Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in tourism on 12 January, too. Pakistan's Lok Virsa Heritage Museum and the National History Museum of Belarus also signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation.