BREST, 21 April (BelTA) – Brest Oblast of Belarus and Mongolia are showing interest in developing trade and economic cooperation. The matter was discussed during a meeting between Brest Oblast Governor Yuri Shuleiko and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Belarus Batsukh Bayarsaikhan on 21 April, BelTA has learned.
Last year the trade between Brest Oblast and Mongolia increased more than 2.5 times to reach $1.2 million. The momentum is continuing this year. In January-February 2022 the mutual trade reached nearly $600,000, with the growth exceeding 320%. The foreign trade was one-sided, however: Brest Oblast did not import goods from Mongolia. Brest Oblast exported furniture, industrial equipment, and food products to Mongolia.
“We are ready to cooperate in the economic sector and welcome businesslike relations,” said Yuri Shuleiko. “If there is bilateral interest, I am ready as a governor to promote in every possible way the development of trade, economic, cultural relations, the tightest partnership in other areas.”
Batsukh Bayarsaikhan made his first working trip around Belarus as ambassador. According to him, Brest Oblast was not a random choice. Mongolia knows well about the Brest Fortress and its heroic history. This Belarusian region is seen in Mongolia as a window to Europe, a transit corridor for the supply of products to the European market. Mongolian citizens also know very well some products manufactured in Brest Oblast and in Belarus in general. The diplomat said there are great opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.
“Mongolia boasts a well-developed mining industry. It is an agricultural country rich in natural and raw material resources. We have more than 70 million cattle. More than half of the world's cashmere is of Mongolian origin. Belarus is a producing country, with a well-developed food and furniture industry. We have a lot of opportunities to expand cooperation, and the embassy will be working on them,” the diplomat said.
The Mongolian ambassador also held a meeting at the Brest Office of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The program of his visit also included visits to a furniture producer, one of the residents of the Free Economic Zone Brest and the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial Complex.
