Prospects for Belarus' cooperation with Azerbaijan outlined

MINSK, 15 May (BelTA) - Belarus' Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko outlined the prospects for bilateral cooperation during a meeting of the Belarus-Azerbaijan intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation in Baku, BelTA has learned.

"Relations between Belarus and Azerbaijan are based on strong friendship between the leaders of our countries and the two fraternal peoples and are a strategic partnership. It is natural that the difficult global political situation has not had any negative impact on our relations. On the contrary, we have always supported each other in difficult times, and this tradition continues. Mutually beneficial economic cooperation is the driver of relations between Belarus and Azerbaijan,” Igor Petrishenko said.

Belarus has significantly increased exports of transformers, cables and other electrical products, timber and food products to Azerbaijan. In turn, Azerbaijan has stepped supplies to Belarus of vegetables and fruits to replace imports from the unfriendly countries, Igor Petrishenko noted.

In addition to trade in goods, mutually beneficial joint cooperation projects are of increasing importance for economic ties. “Cooperation of Belarusian machine builders with Ganja Automobile Plant has become a landmark project for our countries, showing an excellent example of effective cooperation in the field of industrial cooperation. Over 17 years of joint work, the plant has assembled more than 12,000 Belarusian tractors and about 4,000 other vehicles (MAZ, MZKT, Amkodor). Belarus is committed to continuing joint work to expand the range of jointly produced equipment, including combine harvesters and passenger vehicles (e-buses) that meet high environmental standards," Igor Petrishenko emphasized.

The deputy prime minister suggested supplying other Belarusian vehicles to Azerbaijan: construction, municipal, railway, rescue and various types of special-purpose equipment. The Belarusian side is interested in increasing the supply of elevators to Azerbaijan and setting up assembly production facilities.

"In addition, we see a significant potential in joint programs to develop the agricultural sector of Azerbaijan, including animal husbandry. We are ready to share our best practices in building livestock complexes and meet the needs in pedigree livestock, technologies and equipment, highly productive, balanced compound feeds and premixes. The project to set up a joint production of veterinary drugs on the territory of Azerbaijan is of high relevance," Igor Petrishenko noted.

"Our fruitful cooperation is not limited to mutual trade. It is gratifying to note that in recent years, cooperation in healthcare, science, education, sport and tourism between our countries has significantly intensified. We appreciate the trust in our education and medicine and are ready to admit more Azerbaijani citizens who want to travel to Belarus for education, medical tourism and recreation purposes," the deputy prime minister stated.