MINSK, 16 June (BelTA) – Cooperation in agribusiness is a priority avenue of Belarus-Uzbekistan interaction. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Uzbekistan Leonid Marinich made the statement during an international agrarian online forum, BelTA has learned.
The ambassador noted that agricultural products and foods are some of the most important commodities in Belarus-Uzbekistan trade. Uzbekistan is interested in bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food industry, in establishing business contacts and partnership relations with Belarusian producers and processing companies.
Leonid Marinich stressed that despite the restrictions caused by the spread of the coronavirus infection business activity is maintained between Belarus and Uzbekistan. The choice of commodities in mutual trade grows larger. The volume of Belarus-Uzbekistan trade in agricultural products and food is on the rise. In 2019 Belarus exported $35 million worth of agricultural products and food to Uzbekistan, 110% up from 2018. The amount of agricultural products and food imported from Uzbekistan to Belarus amounted to $14.1 million, 105% as against 2018. Positive dynamics continued into this year. In January-April Belarus' export of these commodities rose by 3.2 times to $16.1 million. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's export to Belarus totaled $5.2 million, 5.3% up. “It means the pandemic has had no effect on our trade in food,” the ambassador said. According to the source, products of animal origin, namely meat and milk, can be called the driver of Belarus' export of agricultural products and food to Uzbekistan.
Leonid Marinich remarked that Belarus-Uzbekistan cooperation is not limited to mutual trade in food. It encompasses many avenues, including the development of scientific approaches and modern technologies. The main trend in the development of Uzbekistan's agribusiness is the formation of a cluster-based manufacturing system. In other words, clusters should unite producers of agricultural raw materials and the enterprises that process them into industrial enterprises. In turn, Belarus can share its experience in this area, the diplomat believes.
Uzbekistan is also interested in cooperation with Belarusian partners in the area of animal husbandry.