TASHKENT, 8 February (BelTA) – Belarus and Uzbekistan need to reach $1 billion in trade within the next year and a half, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on 8 February, BelTA has learned.
“It is no secret that the logistics of supplies, the system of settlements have dramatically changed in recent years, affecting both the raw materials and energy markets. The entire structure of the international division of labor is undergoing a period of global transformation. This is inevitable. There is more uncertainty, and the level of confrontation has increased. Despite this, we cannot allow the level of people’s welfare to deteriorate,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
A strong economy, well protected against any shocks, is the foundation of any state, the president said. “That is why we have an impressive economic block on our agenda,” the head of state said. “BelAZ, Belshina, others - I don't see any problems on the part of the president [of Uzbekistan]. We need to be more active in the sectors where we have underperformed. We just need to be more proactive. I am saying this to the ambassador in the first place. Make sure you are doing the utmost to keep going.”
According to him, the current trade - almost $600 million - does not correspond to the available potential, although it is still a record.
“We need to reach $1 billion in trade within the next year and a half,” the president emphasized. “We need to do a lot as long as there is agreement between governments and heads of state. We need to ‘tie’ our relations. Young people will come to power tomorrow - they are different. They do not have this experience. They have not gone the path we have. We keep everything in our memory. We should not lose this time.”
The head of state said that Belarus is ready to contribute to the modernization of Uzbekistan: “We have the technologies you need today and even tomorrow. There is no need to go around the world and ask for them. We offer them to you with an open heart, without demanding anything from you. We cannot demand anything from you as we are similar, identical. We cannot demand anything from each other. We can cooperate with each other only on a good-natured basis.
