![](https://eng.belta.by/images/storage/news/with_archive/2024/000022_1720794280_159756_big.jpg)
MINSK, 12 July (BelTA) - Belarus views the role of First Ladies in promoting people's diplomacy as very important, Belarusian First Deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lukashevich told reporters, BelTA has learned.
While expanding cooperation with African states, Belarus views the role of First Ladies in promoting public diplomacy as extremely important, Sergei Lukashevich stressed. One of the striking examples of such an approach, according to him, is the visit of First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe to Belarus. She came to attend the opening ceremony of the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk festival.
The distinguished guest, together with the business delegation, was received by President Aleksandr Lukashenko at the Palace of Independence. During the meeting, the parties outlined new elements to expand traditionally close trade and economic cooperation, including in the banking sector, food and confectionery industries and other sectors of mutual interest.
"On the instruction of the Belarusian president, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly organized additional negotiations to discuss the ways of expanding mutual trade, including trade in high-quality fruits and concentrates, Zimbabwean raw materials, cooperation in the financial and industrial sectors. The Zimbabwean delegation visited the National Bank of Belarus, the Belgospischeprom food industry concern and other organizations," Sergei Lukashevich said.
While expanding cooperation with African states, Belarus views the role of First Ladies in promoting public diplomacy as extremely important, Sergei Lukashevich stressed. One of the striking examples of such an approach, according to him, is the visit of First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe to Belarus. She came to attend the opening ceremony of the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk festival.
"A busy program was prepared for the distinguished guest with an emphasis on the areas of cooperation outlined during her previous visit to Minsk in April 2023," Sergei Lukashevich said. These are mainly healthcare, protection of motherhood and childhood, social protection, education, cooperation through women's public organizations.
This time, Auxilia Mnangagwa brought a delegation of businesswomen representing various sectors of the Zimbabwean economy. Given the representative delegation and a wide range of their interests, their program in Belarus was not limited to the cultural agenda. A number of meetings and negotiations were held in order to outline promising areas for further cooperation.
This time, Auxilia Mnangagwa brought a delegation of businesswomen representing various sectors of the Zimbabwean economy. Given the representative delegation and a wide range of their interests, their program in Belarus was not limited to the cultural agenda. A number of meetings and negotiations were held in order to outline promising areas for further cooperation.
The distinguished guest, together with the business delegation, was received by President Aleksandr Lukashenko at the Palace of Independence. During the meeting, the parties outlined new elements to expand traditionally close trade and economic cooperation, including in the banking sector, food and confectionery industries and other sectors of mutual interest.
"On the instruction of the Belarusian president, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly organized additional negotiations to discuss the ways of expanding mutual trade, including trade in high-quality fruits and concentrates, Zimbabwean raw materials, cooperation in the financial and industrial sectors. The Zimbabwean delegation visited the National Bank of Belarus, the Belgospischeprom food industry concern and other organizations," Sergei Lukashevich said.