MINSK, 28 July (BelTA) – Belarus and Iran are showing interest in boosting cooperation in the industrial sector, Belarusian Industry Minister Piotr Parkhomchik told BelTA after the 15th meeting of the mixed Belarus-Iran commission on economic cooperation which is working in Minsk on 28-29 July.
An Iranian delegation led by Seyed Reza Fatemi Amin, Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade of Iran came to Belarus to take part in the work of the commission.
The plenary session of the commission took place on 28 July. The parties discussed successful bilateral projects, reached certain agreements on the implementation of joint activities. All the agreements were enshrined in the final minutes of the meeting, signed by the co-chairpersons.
Iran is a major importer of Belarusian agricultural products, food (beef, confectionery), medical equipment and raw materials for medicines. Iran is also increasingly interested in Belarusian industrial products, agricultural machinery, machine tools, passenger vehicles, electric transport, and household appliances.
Belarus is interested in supplies of Iranian fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and dried fruits, fish and seafood, goods of the chemical and petrochemical industries, construction materials, pharmaceutical products and medical equipment.
“At present we are actively cooperating with Iran. Iran has been under sanctions for decades - more than 40 years. At the same time, they have found tools to circumvent the sanctions pressure and build their work in a harsh environment created by unfriendly countries. Belarus has also been under strong external pressure for two years. Therefore, the experience of this country is extremely interesting to us,” said Piotr Parkhomchik.
According to him, Belarus and Iran are interested in increasing mutual trade. “Last year the bilateral trade was only $33 million, although in the best years our trade used to reach $250-300 million. Therefore, we are set to reach a trade turnover of about $500 million in a short period of time. There are all the prerequisites for this,” the minister said.
During the visit to Belarus, the Iranian delegation is expected to visit industrial enterprises and get familiar with the export potential of the country. The program of the visit also envisages meetings in a number of ministries and agencies.
