SAMARKAND, 15 September (BelTA) – Right upon arrival in Samarkand for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko went to a number of bilateral meetings. The first one was a meeting with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the host of the summit, BelTA has learned.
The heads of state greeted each other warmly. Virtually the entire meeting proceeded without mass media. At the very beginning Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed he was glad to meet with Aleksandr Lukashenko in the ancient yet ever young Samarkand. The Uzbek leader shared peculiarities of the summit's organization: “I am very pleased you have accepted the invitation and have flown here for a session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. A lot has been accomplished. Sincerely speaking, it's been difficult but we've endured everything and have done it impeccably. I am also grateful to your colleagues who supported everything. Because out of the 80 events that have been held about 50-60 ones were top-level ones. Over 40 documents were prepared. I talked to [China President] Xi Jinping for a long time today. He said the history of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization had not seen such things.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked he had majored in history. “We know where civilizations originated,” he remarked. “You can compete only with Ancient China today. Ancient civilizations originated here.”
The president remarked he had visited Samarkand a long time before. “The ancientness was overwhelming,” he shared impressions of that visit.
Things look slightly different now: “You've made the city younger. You've certainly done well. All of it has been done magnificently.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko also pointed out serious accomplishments in Uzbekistan's development in the last few years. “You've improved by a lot. The progress is colossal,” he stressed.
In 2021 Belarus-Uzbekistan trade totaled $301.9 million (107.8% as against 2020), with Belarus' export at $245.4 million (103.3%) and import at $56.5 million (132.5%). The foreign trade surplus amounted to $188.9 million. Belarus exported defense and security products, meat and meat products, medications, vinyl chloride polymers, milk powder, diagnostic reagents, vaccines, blood serum, chipboards, cheese and cottage cheese. The main imports included cotton yarn, grapes, defense and security products, fresh and dried fruits, rolled copper, bed linen, knitted fabrics, sweaters, pullovers, cardigans, knitted vests, wolfram and goods made thereof.
Positive dynamics of merchandise trade stayed in place in January-July 2022, with bilateral trade reaching $243.2 million (150.6% as against January-July 2021). Belarus' export amounted to $187.6 million (139.3%) while import totaled $55.6 million (2.1 times up).
In 2021 Belarus-Uzbekistan trade in services totaled $52.6 million (156.7% as against 2020), with Belarus' export at $42.3 million (151.4%) and import at $10.3 million (183%).
In January-July 2022 Belarus-Uzbekistan trade in services totaled $23.1 million (77.9% as against January-July 2021), with Belarus' export at $18.3 million (77.3%) and import at $4.8 million (80.1%).
Uzbekistan is home to 107 enterprises with Belarusian capital. An enterprise to assemble Belarusian vehicles and machines has been established in Uzbekistan – Amkodor-Agrotexmash (OAO Amkodor is the founder). Manufacturing cooperation continues between OAO MAZ and Krantas Group, OAO MTZ and AO Uzavtosanoat in the field of production of automobiles and tractors. The Belarusian company Marko is implementing a joint project to make footwear in Uzbekistan. OOO Svetlogorsk Welding Rod Plant is implementing an investment project to make welding rods in Uzbekistan. The Belarusian heavy truck manufacturer BelAZ is considering the possibility of semi knocked down assembly of BelAZ vehicles in Uzbekistan. OAO Belkommunmash has sent a package proposal to Uzbekistan. The Belarusian company is eager to sell trams to Uzbekistan and build the necessary infrastructure over there. Proposals on selling electrobuses via a tender have been sent as well.
