MINSK, 27 June (BelTA) – I hope that the level of trade and economic cooperation with the UAE will reach the level of political relations between the countries. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Minks on 27 June, BelTA has learned.
“You have a busy day and a very important one (I would like it to be an important day in the history of your state). We will sign an agreement on our future cooperation. I very much hope that the level of our trade and economic cooperation will reach the level of political cooperation between Belarus and the UAE,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “At least we will be asking about this. Although things are good; we cooperate well.”
The president touched on the close investment cooperation between the countries. Arab companies are involved in the construction of a smart city on the outskirts of Minsk, and have built a large-scale exhibition center as part of this project. A symbol of cooperation and friendship between Belarus and the UAE will be a new hotel complex built on Yanka Kupala Street on the banks of Svisloch.
“Another construction project by an Arab company worth hundreds of millions of dollars is the construction of a hotel complex in the city center. Very impressive facility,” the Belarusian leader noted.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the United Arab Emirates, through its special fund and the World Bank, contributes to the development of other countries. All in all, the UAE provided assistance to 100 countries in the amount of over $100 billion.
The head of state also asked to convey his greetings to the UAE president and added that he was welcome in Belarus at any time.
The high foreign guest is expected to take part in a ceremony to sign two international documents: an economic partnership agreement between the EAEU and its member states on the one hand and the UAE on the other and an intergovernmental agreement between Belarus and the UAE on trade in services and investment.
The UAE delegation includes the state minister, the state minister for international cooperation, the ministers of economy, investments and foreign trade.
Trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and the UAE is dominated by Belarusian exports. Growth points are high-tech goods, food, timber, oil products, IT services and investment projects in Belarus.
In 2024, the trade between the two countries amounted to $3.7 billion, with Belarusian exports totaling $3.66 billion. In January-April of this year the trade in goods decreased slightly but trade in services rose to almost $98 million (up by 22% year-on-year).
Net-based direct investment from the UAE to Belarus exceeded $242 million last year, up by three times over 2023. In January-March of this year, they rose to $306.3 million, which was the second largest among all countries.
“You have a busy day and a very important one (I would like it to be an important day in the history of your state). We will sign an agreement on our future cooperation. I very much hope that the level of our trade and economic cooperation will reach the level of political cooperation between Belarus and the UAE,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “At least we will be asking about this. Although things are good; we cooperate well.”
The president touched on the close investment cooperation between the countries. Arab companies are involved in the construction of a smart city on the outskirts of Minsk, and have built a large-scale exhibition center as part of this project. A symbol of cooperation and friendship between Belarus and the UAE will be a new hotel complex built on Yanka Kupala Street on the banks of Svisloch.
“Another construction project by an Arab company worth hundreds of millions of dollars is the construction of a hotel complex in the city center. Very impressive facility,” the Belarusian leader noted.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the United Arab Emirates, through its special fund and the World Bank, contributes to the development of other countries. All in all, the UAE provided assistance to 100 countries in the amount of over $100 billion.
“I would like you to keep our companies in mind. If you practice this approach and if we have this opportunity to supply our high-quality products, ranging from food to engineering goods within the framework of this fund, we will be grateful to you,” the president said.
The high foreign guest is expected to take part in a ceremony to sign two international documents: an economic partnership agreement between the EAEU and its member states on the one hand and the UAE on the other and an intergovernmental agreement between Belarus and the UAE on trade in services and investment.
The UAE delegation includes the state minister, the state minister for international cooperation, the ministers of economy, investments and foreign trade.
Trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and the UAE is dominated by Belarusian exports. Growth points are high-tech goods, food, timber, oil products, IT services and investment projects in Belarus.
In 2024, the trade between the two countries amounted to $3.7 billion, with Belarusian exports totaling $3.66 billion. In January-April of this year the trade in goods decreased slightly but trade in services rose to almost $98 million (up by 22% year-on-year).
Net-based direct investment from the UAE to Belarus exceeded $242 million last year, up by three times over 2023. In January-March of this year, they rose to $306.3 million, which was the second largest among all countries.
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