Belt and Road: global Chinese initiative brings together heads of state and government from 40 countries

In just 5 years, more than 150 countries and international organizations have signed agreements with the PRC on the joint implementation of the project.

Belarus was one of the first countries to appreciate and support the idea of creating transnational trade corridors. And today Belarus is an important European logistics hub of the grandiose initiative. Of course, Alexander Lukashenko was one of the key participants in the top-level session. The Belarusian leader flew to China at the personal invitation of Xi Jinping.

The President of Belarus made specific proposals for the further development of cooperation. As always in such undertakings, trade barriers become the main obstacles. And it is the experience of the post-Soviet states that is very valuable here.

Of course, politicians use such forums to conduct bilateral negotiations. A number of summits were held with participation of the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko called the second Belt and Road forum the right platform for regular meetings of like-minded people. 

Participation in the global initiative is already benefiting Belarus. For example, container transport through our country has grown several times in recent years. It has been agreed to simplify customs procedures on the railway on the route China-Europe.

We provide reliable transit, but also use this opportunity to deliver goods to China within the framework of the Belarusian-Chinese trade.

Negotiations of the leaders took place in the stressful period of the summit, but the main points of cooperation were discussed. Meanwhile, the government and business have concluded two dozen agreements in the medical, financial and customs fields.

The current meeting between Alexander Lukashenko and Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Beijing is an opportunity to discuss new promising projects. New productions may appear in different areas - from the food industry to pharmaceuticals.

Alexander Lukashenko has also met with Vice President, Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The head of the Belarusian state announced his intention to expand cooperation with this region. The Belarusian leader has repeatedly visited the United Arab Emirates. Such an active political dialogue has positively influenced the growth of mutual trade, and the influx of direct investment from this country. Last year, it amounted to $ 44 million, which is a twofold increase in recent years.

This summer, the conversation that was held in Beijing will continue in Belarus. We are waiting for representatives of 500 companies at the Chinese-Belarusian Economic Forum in the Great Stone. It will be held in early July as part of the Chinese Belt and Road initiative.