MINSK, 25 August (BelTA) - Belarus and Uzbekistan will be able to achieve a multiple growth in mutual trade in the coming years, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev said at the ninth session of the joint intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation between Belarus and Uzbekistan, BelTA has learned.
“Thanks to reciprocal visits, as well as trusting relations between the leaders of our countries, cooperation between Uzbekistan and Belarus has reached a qualitatively new level. It is pleasant to state that most of the measures agreed during the previous meeting, held in Tashkent in March 2021, have been implemented or are under implementation. Today we are holding the ninth meeting of the intergovernmental commission. This demonstrates the mutual interest and firm commitment of the parties to further develop a multifaceted partnership. It is important to continue this systematic work to elaborate new promising joint initiatives,” said Jamshid Khodjaev.
According to him, now more than ever, it is important to create conditions to increase mutual trade. “By our joint efforts we will be able to achieve a multiple increase in mutual trade in the coming years. It is necessary to make every effort to sign an agreement in September on the use of electronic systems to certify the origin of goods. This will contribute to further diversification of mutual trade,” the deputy prime minister said.
In 2021, the trade between Belarus and Uzbekistan amounted to $301.9 million, up 7.8% compared to 2020. In January-June 2022, the trade between the two countries reached $138.5 million and increased by 38.5% compared to the same period last year. Belarus' main exports included meat and meat products, tractors and tractor trucks, oil products, coated paper and cardboard, medicines, timber, vaccines, chipboard, and milk powder. The imports from Uzbekistan comprised cotton yarn, specific goods, cabbage, grapes, sweaters, pullovers, cardigans, knitted vests, knitted fabrics, rolled copper, onions, garlic, dried fruits, mixed nuts or dried fruits, carrots.
