TASHKENT, 25 April (BelTA) – Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko outlined the prospects of cooperation during a meeting with Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov on 25 April, BelTA has learned.
Tashkent is hosting the international exhibition Innoprom. Central Asia. Belarus is showcasing its exposition in mechanical engineering. “We have proposals in passenger urban transport. The development of electric transport today is not just a tribute to fashion. In our opinion, it is the main solution that will determine the structure of transport in the coming decades. We would like to offer our opportunities in this environmentally friendly sector of transport,” said Roman Golovchenko.
Tashkent is considering the possibility of resuming the streetcar service. “Belarus is ready to provide comprehensive solutions with the necessary infrastructure, planning and delivery of rolling stock. If such a decision is made, we will also consider manufacturing in Uzbekistan,” the prime minister said.
Belarus is also interested in the development of industrial cooperation. “There are already examples of such cooperation. We are ready to develop projects to produce agricultural, special, and rescue equipment on the basis of Belarusian technology. Many of these proposals will be presented at the exhibition today,” Roman Golovchenko added.
He also touched upon agriculture and drew attention to the fact that Belarus and Uzbekistan have a strong agrarian base and modern technologies for growing agricultural products. “We should be ready for the need to increase food production. Belarus has proposals for joint programs with Uzbekistan using our experience and technology. We are ready to meet the needs in breeding stock, mixed fodder, premixes, veterinary drugs, setting up dairy complexes,” the prime minister said.
According to him, the project for the production of antibiotics, which are not made either in Uzbekistan or in the neighboring countries, is highly relevant. The joint Belarusian-Uzbek enterprise Belpharm has already invested more than $8 million in the production of these drugs in Uzbekistan.
The heads of government also discussed cooperation in education, science and technology, and innovation.
In 2021, the trade between Belarus and Uzbekistan was $301.9 million, up 7.8% compared to 2020. Exports reached $245.4 million (up 3.3%). Belarus posted a trade deficit of $188.9 million.
Belarus' main exports to Uzbekistan in 2021 were specific goods, meat and meat products, medicines, vinyl chloride polymers, milk powder, diagnostic reagents. The imports from Uzbekistan included cotton yarn, fresh and dried fruit, specific goods, rolled copper, and bedding.
In Uzbekistan there are 103 organizations founded by residents of Belarus, as well as representative offices of Avtopromsnab Spedition, Softclub, AmantisMed and BelVitunipharm.
In Belarus there are 117 organizations founded by legal entities and individuals of Uzbekistan.
The AMKODOR-AGROTEXMASH joint venture (founded by the Amkodor) is one of the entities that assemble Belarusian machinery in Uzbekistan. MAZ and KRANTAS GROUP, MTZ and Uzavtosanoat continue cooperation in the production of motor vehicles and tractors.
The Belarusian company Marko is implementing a joint footwear production project in Uzbekistan. Svetlogorsk Welding Electrodes Plant is implementing an investment project to produce welding electrodes in Uzbekistan. MONOLITH ASIA was set up in Tashkent for this purpose. The two countries are also implementing a number of joint projects in the pharmaceutical sector.
