MINSK, 17 January (BelTA) – The meeting of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa is taking place in the Palace of Independence in Minsk, BelTA has learned.
In line with the protocol, the talks were preceded by an official welcoming ceremony. After the national anthems were performed, the presidents welcomed members of the delegations and took part in a photo opportunity.
Alexander Lukashenko and Emmerson Mnangagwa will hold talks in narrow and extended formats. Top on the agenda will be political contacts, trade and economic cooperation, investment, as well as implementation of joint projects.
Several international documents are to be signed following the talks.
Emmerson Mnangagwa and Belarus' Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas opened the Honorary Consulate of Zimbabwe in Minsk on 17 January. “It is a great honor for me to take part in this ceremony that demonstrates that the cooperation between Zimbabwe and Belarus is gaining momentum,” Emmerson Mnangagwa said.
Belarus and Zimbabwe intensified bilateral contacts in 2015. Emmerson Mnangagwa helped launch the delivery of BelAZ quarry trucks to Zimbabwe. At present Belarus mostly exports potash fertilizers and vehicle parts to this country. Belarus' major imports from Zimbabwe include mineral raw materials, citrus fruits and vegetables in insignificant amounts.
Last year Belarus' Amkodor signed a contract to supply 40 machines and parts to them to the amount of nearly $4.5 million to Zimbabwe. The deal was financially supported by the Development Bank of Belarus and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. BelAZ and the Sohra company seek to supply six dump trucks and two loaders. The parties are considering various payment options as the end consumer does not have funds to pay for the machinery. The Machulishchi agricultural company is interested in setting up a dairy and meat production and processing enterprise. The proposal was sent to the Zimbabwean side. The project is estimated at over $26 million.
