MINSK, 27 January (BelTA) – We need to increase China’s share in Belarus’ total exports, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss cooperation with China in Minsk on 27 January, BelTA has learned.
“I’m confident we can achieve more. The keys to this are well known: our own distribution network with warehouses and logistics; direct deliveries, including to retail chains and end consumers through e-commerce; joint production both on their territory and ours, specifically for the Chinese market; and finally, cooperation with Chinese regions, which is frankly still lagging,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that, on the one hand, China is currently Belarus’ second-largest trading partner, and Belarusian exports to the Chinese market have surpassed the volume of supplies to the European Union. “And this trend is likely to continue in the long term,” the head of state emphasized.
On the other hand, about $1.7 billion in 2025 and just over 4% of total exports is very little even by Belarusian standards, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
“In China’s import statistics, our share is measured in hundredths of a percent. And where is the impact of our second directive [to develop relations with China]?” the president asked.
He stressed that the tasks in the new directive should be specified in terms of units and kilograms. However, this strategic document should also set overarching goals, such as increasing China's share in Belarus' total exports. “Ideally, [we would like to see] double-digit figures. That would be a qualitative change,” the president noted. “And the specific figures broken down by organizations and goods are the responsibility of the government.”
“The government is not ready today to present its vision of the directive for the next five-year period. Perhaps that is correct. Right now, it is necessary to determine the main parameters of the new document and to discuss those key projects that have recently been advanced by the government, including during highest-level visits in 2025,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president also urged everyone to work more actively in the Chinese market.
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