Belarus, Azerbaijan set to expand trade, economic cooperation

Belarus and Azerbaijan are set to expand trade and economic cooperation on mutually beneficial terms. The matter was discussed during the visit of Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko to Baku, BelTA has learned.

Igor Petrishenko met with Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov and held productive talks with Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov. The parties stated that Belarus and Azerbaijan have always been reliable partners in the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. The parties agreed to work towards further expansion and diversification of trade and economic cooperation on equal and mutually beneficial terms.   

The parties also discussed practical steps to implement the agreements reached following the meetings of the heads of state in Baku in April 2021 and the heads of government in May and August 2022. In addition, they reviewed in detail the implementation of the protocol of the 12th meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation held in June 2022. Trade and economic cooperation will be promoted by the planned in 2023 mutual visits of government delegations and business circles, participation in international exhibitions and business forums, as well as active cooperation at the level of the intergovernmental commission.

Today, 45 dealers in Azerbaijan represent more than 50 Belarusian companies in the engineering, woodworking, petrochemical, construction, electrical, food, pharmaceutical and other industries. Last year, mutual trade almost doubled. Trade in the main commodity items continue growing this year as well. It is especially important that the countries maintain parity between export and import supplies.

In addition to direct trade of goods, the countries are set to develop new cooperation in Azerbaijan. The parties plan to work on joint projects in mechanical engineering, in particular, to expand the range of Belarusian machinery assembly at the existing assembly facility at Ganja Auto Plant.

A new impetus to Belarusian-Azerbaijani relations will be given by joint events planned for next year to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They will include culture days in Minsk and Baku, cinema days, art exhibitions and a number of other events.

Igor Petrishenko also met with representatives of the Society of Friendship and Cooperation. The conversation with the representatives of the people's diplomacy touched upon the participation of this public organization in further strengthening of the bilateral ties between the brotherly peoples of Belarus and Azerbaijan as friendly states and strategic partners.