Lukashenko: Belarus remains committed to expanding relations with Latin America
13 November 2023, 13:48
“What remains unchanged is that we, as a high-tech country, will keep building relations with Latin America. While doing so, we will rely first and foremost on Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. We are viewing your visit from this standpoint. We really hope that we will be able to significantly intensify our trade and economic relations. We are not happy that our trade slightly exceeds $10 million,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president suggested that Belarus and Cuba use their best endeavors to deepen trade and economic interaction so that it will catch up with the level of political and humanitarian contacts.
In turn, Manuel Marrero Cruz thanked the Belarusian head of state for the opportunity to meet and for the warm welcome for the Cuban delegation. “We appreciate the cordiality that we have felt from the moment we arrived; your warm reception makes us feel at home,” he added.
The prime minister also conveyed greetings to Aleksandr Lukashenko from the leadership of Cuba and personally from President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez, who, according to him, cherishes memories of his visit to Minsk in 2019.
“I have listened to you very carefully and I completely agree with what you have said. Your analysis of bilateral trade and economic relations is very accurate. I share your opinion. We are also determined to change this situation,” Manuel Marrero Cruz said.
According to him, the prime ministers of Belarus and Cuba need to undertake comprehensive efforts to improve the situation and flesh out cooperation with specific projects.
The Cuban head of government arrived in Belarus on an official visit on 9 November. He is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, leaders of both chambers of the Belarusian Parliament and members of the National Assembly's working group on cooperation with the Cuban Parliament. While on a visit to Belarus, Manuel Marrero Cruz will learn more about the capabilities of the Belarusian manufacturing sector and meat and dairy industries.
This year, trade between Belarus and Cuba has gained momentum. In January-September, trade reached $10.5 million, with the growth rate hitting 307% year-on-year. The surplus for Belarus has increased almost 9 times to total almost $8 million. The export of services is also growing (by more than 20%): in January-July it amounted to $155,200. Last year Belarus provided business services to Cuba. This year these are mostly telecommunications, computer and information services.
The two countries are working to increase bilateral trade. In July, a Belarusian delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik paid an official visit to Cuba. During that visit the parties discussed the entire range of Belarus-Cuba relations and ways to intensify them, including through the mechanism of the bilateral commission on trade and economic cooperation. Traditionally, special attention was paid to the supply of Belarusian equipment and spare parts, popular food products and other Belarusian goods. During the meetings, the Belarus-Cuba cooperation and promising joint projects in science, biotechnology and pharmacology were discussed in great detail.
