MOSCOW, 28 June (BelTA) – Belarus is determined to advance from simple trade with Latin America to the establishment of joint ventures and assembly factories, Belarus' Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Shestakov said at the Belarus-Latin America forum taking place at the Business and Cultural Complex of the Belarusian Embassy in Moscow on 28 June, BelTA has learned.
Evgeny Shestakov noted that the rapidly growing agricultural industry of Latin American countries needs machinery and equipment. According to him, Belarus-made tractors, combine harvesters and other agricultural equipment are a great option as they are reliable and reasonably priced. “Belarus manufactures a broad range of machinery, like agricultural machinery, mining trucks, trucks, road construction machines, electric public transport, tire products and many more. I believe that these products will be of interest to Latin American agricultural producers, the mining industry and transport sector,” Evgeny Shestakov said.
He noted that Belarus is ready to consider export loans for the supply of domestic products. “At the same time, we seek to maintain stable and balanced trade and economic cooperation. Belarus is very interested in direct imports of Latin American products that are not produced in Belarus due to climatic and other reasons. These are many types of food products, including fruits and seafood,” the diplomat said.
“At the same time, we seek gradual transition from simple trade of some commodity groups to systemic cooperation that implies the establishment of joint ventures and assembly factories to produce agricultural, automotive and other types of equipment,” Evgeny Shestakov said.
Cooperation in education is another promising avenue of cooperation. “Our universities are ready to train Latin American students in the fields of expertise that are in demand in Latin American countries, including various professions in manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare,” the deputy foreign minister of Belarus said.
“One of the keys to building successful cooperation, including in trade and economy, is the development and improvement of a legal framework covering various areas of work. In this regard, I suggest that my colleagues from Latin America pay special attention to this issue,” Evgeny Shestakov added.
Director of the Belarusian National Center for Marketing Nikolai Borisevich made a presentation of Belarus' trade and economic opportunities and proposals to Latin American partners. Belneftekhim Deputy Chairman Vladimir Sizov briefed the forum participants about the export potential of the Belarusian petrochemical industry. Anatoly Grinevich, deputy head of the Central Office for Foreign Economic Relations at the Industry Ministry, spoke about the capabilities of the Belarusian industrial sector. Kirill Yermolovich, head of marketing strategy, domestic sales and export at the Belpharmprom holding company, made a presentation of the Belarusian pharmaceutical industry.
The Belarus-Latin America forum was organized by the National Center for Marketing jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus.
