Belarus, Moldova keen to develop effective cooperation in various fields

Belarus and Moldova aim to develop meaningful cooperation in various fields, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said as he met with Speaker of the Moldovan parliament Zinaida Greceanii in Minsk on 6 May, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus and Moldova maintain partner relations and an open dialogue and are willing to develop effective cooperation in all areas,” Roman Golovchenko said.

Nowadays, the countries should regularly update their projects and approaches and search for new initiatives that will benefit the two nations, the prime minister stressed. “We are happy that, despite all difficulties, we have maintained our trade and potential we have been working on for years. The bilateral trade is on the increase, which is encouraging. Everything is in place for us to boost trade even more,” Roman Golovchenko pointed out.

Comprehensive work of the Belarusian-Moldovan intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation is very important. Thanks to it, we are able to compare notes on various matters, adjust our plans, and find new projects. I believe that this year, after the parliamentary elections in Moldova, the commission will be able to hold a full-fledged meeting,” he added.

According to Roman Golovchenko, Belarus and Moldova should continue advancing cooperation and developing joint ventures. “Development of transport and road infrastructure is important for Moldova. In view of this, we have often suggested that Belarusian companies participate in road building projects in Moldova,” he noted.

Agriculture was hailed as important cooperation area as well. “Moldova boasts a well-developed agricultural sector and Belarus is one of Europe's major agricultural powerhouses. Cooperation in agriculture is undoubtedly important. We are ready to carry out projects to set up high technology dairy farms using Belarusian solutions in Moldova,” the prime minister stressed.

“Belarus is keen to expand cooperation with Moldova. We will also welcome new joint projects, including those that can implemented in Belarus with participation on Moldovan companies,” Roman Golovchenko added.

For her part, Zinaida Greceanii said that Moldova is prepared to step up cooperation in Belarus in various areas. “We should continue running joint projects in agriculture, industry, and humanitarian affairs,” she stressed.

n January-February 2021, Belarus-Moldova trade amounted to $33.8 million, up by 23.5% year-on-year, with Belarus' export to Moldova soaring by 41% to $23.9 million. Belarus' major export items were petroleum products, trolleybuses, tractors and tractor units, medicines, fiberglass, boards and plastic films, rods from unalloyed steel, eggs, and dairy products. Major imports from Moldova were wines, spirits, corn, carpets and flooring, canned vegetables, and grapes.

There are three plants in Moldova that assemble Belkommunmash trolleybuses, orchard tractors of Smorgon Assembly Plant, and tractors of the Bobruisk Plant of Tractor Parts and Units.