DUSHANBE, 11 October (BelTA) – The economic potential of Belarus and Tajikistan is much higher than the bilateral trade, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko told journalists following official talks with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe, BelTA has learned.
“Our delegations have held productive, substantive negotiations. My Tajikistan's counterpart and great friend, President Emomali Rahmon and I also joined these negotiations. I would like to sincerely thank him for the traditionally warm welcome on the Tajikistan soil. I really appreciate our trusting and friendly relations that have passed the test of time and have been proved by deeds,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
According to the president, during the talks the parties constructively and candidly discussed all issues on the bilateral agenda. Particular attention was paid to trade and economic cooperation.
“Indeed, a lot has been done over the past years, but the potential of the economies of our states is much higher than the current level of bilateral trade. To make the most of the available reserves, we are set to intensify contacts between our enterprises, including through such tools as exhibitions of domestic manufacturers and the Belarus-Tajikistan business forum. It is important that right now the interaction between our enterprises is going beyond simple foreign trade transactions. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei, agreements and contracts worth $50 million were concluded over just one day [at the business forum]. The commercial agreements and contracts that have been signed suggest that this is just the beginning,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that the successful implementation of the joint project to produce Belarusian agricultural machinery in Hissar was Tajikistan's first experience of using Belarusian expertise and knowledge in its industrialization effort. The project to assemble Belarusian elevators in Tajikistan has also proved successful. Belarus believes that this project can be scaled up.
By the end of the year, Belarus and Tajikistan plan to launch a joint venture specializing in milk processing in Dushanbe. “Our enterprises are providing the necessary technological support to their Tajikistan partners,” the president stressed.
“Every year we expand the legal framework of bilateral relations. During this meeting, a number of international agreements were signed, including intergovernmental agreements on trade, youth policy, several dozen international and inter-university agreements,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
