MINSK, 8 February (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko met with Latvia Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis on 8 February, BelTA informs.
Before this meeting the Latvian politician held talks with Belarus' Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov. The sides have signed a number of international documents and agreed on the comprehensive support of joint projects on the markets of the EU and the EAEU and on the implementation of the Chinese Silk Road initiative.
Besides, Maris Kucinskis met with Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich and Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko. Heads of the Belarusian parliament were satisfied with the enhancement of parliamentary cooperation with Latvia.
The program of the visit of the Latvian delegation also includes visits to the sports complex Minsk Arena, the Hi-Tech Park and the industrial park Great Stone.
Latvia is an important trade partner and investor for Belarus. In 2017, the bilateral trade went up almost one third to reach about $440 million. Belarus' export reached $350.9 million.
Belarus exports oil products, forestry and wood processing products, petrochemical products, metal products, fertilizers, isolated wires and cables, construction materials, alcohol products, salt, corsetry, furniture to Latvia.
The export of services to Latvia made up $114.5 million in January-October 2017. Belarus exports transport, business, IT, telecommunication and tourism services.
There are more than 600 enterprises with the Latvian capital in Belarus. Foreign investors implement projects in trade, services sector, wood processing, pharmaceutics, food production and other sectors.
Interregional cooperation between the two countries is increasingly vibrant. Sixty towns and regions have concluded twin-town and cooperation agreements. Apart from that, there is close cooperation between law enforcement bodies, border and rescue services. Bilateral cooperation in the defense sector is developing.
