By Natalia Breus: Today the Belarusian leader is expected to meet with the Prime Minister, the President and Parliament speakers of Pakistan. Alexander Lukashenko is also planned to take part in the opening of a business forum in Islamabad.
Belarus’ delegation has been actively working in Islamabad for the past two days, one of the key agreements being the Pakistani Government’s intension to subsidise farmers for purchasing Belarusian equipment. Besides, the parties have signed an agreement on opening a joint centre for coordinating scientific, technical and innovation cooperation in Islamabad.
Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to the capital of Pakistan in May 2015 resulted in the signing of a Belarus-Pakistan partnership declaration, which marked a new stage in the relations between the two countries. Belarus’ Embassy opened in Islamabad in 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the year 2014 seeing the intensification of contacts.
Last year’s Belarus-Pakistan trade turnover approached 60 million dollars. Pakistan is Belarus’ promising partner in South Asia, being a large market with a population of nearly 200 million people. Pakistan is one of key markets for Belarusian tractors outside the CIS.
Belarus exports potash fertilisers, synthetic fibres, tyres, newsprint and baby food to Pakistan and imports rice, food stuffs, leather products, textiles and sporting equipment.
