Alexei Adashkin: Today the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited BelAZ holding. Obviously the relationship between the two countries reached a new level. During the third day of his official visit to Belarus Nawaz Sharif met again with the head of the Belarusian state. During his May visit Alexander Lukashenko talked a lot about the beauty of Belarus, about the national cuisine. Nawaz Sharif was impressed by the Belarusian nature.
The Belarusian President of Pakistan and Prime Minister exchanged gifts. During his May visit the President laid the foundation for future relations between the two countries. Nawaz Sharif and President Alexander Lukashenko said goodbye to each other as friends.
Three days spent by Nawaz Sharif in Belarus were filled with meetings and negotiations. Today, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic managed to visit the giant of the domestic industry, BelAZ.
Oleg Stepuk, First Deputy General Director: "We have repeatedly traveled to Pakistan, we are already talking with mining companies on how to jointly develop cooperation in their production. At the same time we offer our Pakistani partners complex solutions for transportation and work of our scientific institutions in mineral exploration."
Pervez Rashid, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan: "Pakistani delegation, including the prime minister, was shocked and surprised by the level of the plant and equipment at BelAZ. There are great business opportunities between Belarus and Pakistan and the possibilities of such companies as BelAZ can be used in construction of highways and communications."
Over the past eight years, the volume of trade between Belarus and Pakistan ranged fr om 50 to 120 million dollars a year. And, the Belarusian delegation headed by the President in May was able to sign contracts for more than $ 50 million.
In 2014 the volume of bilateral trade between Belarus and Pakistan amounted to almost $ 60 million. Belarus exports tractors, potash fertilizers, synthetic fibers, tires, transmission shafts. Our country imports rice, polymers, food, leather, fabrics, textiles from Pakistan.
Moreover, countries are ready to switch from simple trade to the implementation of joint business projects. Alexander Lukashenko and Nawaz Sharif attended the business forum. The President of Belarus invited the representatives of Pakistani companies to get acquainted with the potential of an industrial park "Great Stone". There will be a niche for the Belarusian-Pakistani projects.
Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus: "Pakistan can become a window for Belarus to South Asia. Having opened the production in our country, you will have easy access to the market of the Eurasian Economic Union and will be able to actively work with together on the EU market."
Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan: "We have decided to work together in many areas, especially in agriculture. I'm definitely going to personally supervise and support all of our agreements. Mr. President, I want to assure you that the Government of Pakistan will provide full support for your initiatives. We will make sure that you do not face any obstacles on doing business in Pakistan. I also appreciate the statements and feelings of President Lukashenko to Pakistani people."
The Belarusian side offers to develop the industrial potential. The first step has already been made by MTZ, which opened an assembly plant in Karachi. We are ready to launch the lines of "Amkodor" and MAZ. Another industry wh ere there is mutual interest is light industry. In addition to potassium, Pakistan needs technology for cultivation of vegetables, storage, production of dairy products, livestock development. As a result of the Belarusian-Pakistani business forum signed agreements worth millions of dollars.
Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan: "I would like to thank the Belarusian side for specific proposals. I am 100 percent agree with your idea of developing a road map, and the timing of our joint projects".
Pakistan is the sixth largest country in the world. It is home to nearly 200 million people. This is a promising market for the Eurasian Economic Union.
The visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan is actively discussed by economists and political scientists.
Exchange of visits between Minsk and Islamabad establish clear priorities for cooperation between the two countries. They will be key points in the roadmap of cooperation. Interstate document is still under development.
