Minsk, 17 December 2021 (TDI): Ambassador of Pakistan to Belarus Sajjad Haider Khan held a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Industry of Belarus Mr. Alexandr Ogorodnikov. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Head of the Economic Relations Department Mr. Anatoly Grynevich. Both firstly discussed the bilateral relations of Pakistan-Belarus.

The two sides discussed the development of mutual industrial collaboration and noted the positive increase in trade figures during the current year. They also reviewed the ongoing talks regarding establishing a joint venture for tractor manufacturing in Pakistan as well as the opportunity for holding agricultural machinery exhibitions in Pakistan accompanied by demonstrations of the agricultural implements.

The Ambassador briefed the Deputy Minister on the available investment opportunities and benefits in the special economic zones being established in Pakistan under China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The parties agreed to continue consultations for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

PAKISTAN-BELARUS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Pakistan was one of the first countries that recognized Belarus when the country achieved its Independence in 1991. In 1994, the two countries established formal diplomatic relations. Belarus opened its diplomatic mission in Islamabad in 2014. On the other side, Pakistan opened one in Minsk in 2015.

Since the establishment of their missions, their relations have shown an unprecedented increase. Later in 2019, both countries celebrated the 25th Anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The first official visit was the one of the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in 2015. Also in 2015 were the visit of the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, to Belarus; and the organization of a visit by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov to Pakistan.

Pakistan and Belarus fix their mutual dialogue according to the Islamabad Declaration of the Belarus-Pakistan Partnership. Both countries signed it in 2015. That mutual dialogue is also ruled according to the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation, signed in 2015.

The last agreement that rules the mutual dialogue is the Joint Statement of the President of the Republic of Belarus and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed in 2016.

The mechanism of Pakistan and Belarus regarding the development of bilateral trade and economic relations is the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Ambassador Khan during the meeting with Deputy Minister of Industry of Belarus
Ambassador Khan during the meeting with Deputy Minister of Industry of Belarus

In 2019, the bilateral trade turnover between the two countries was 50.2 million, out of that number, Pakistan’s total exports were 15.1 million. On the other side, Pakistan imported from Belarus a total of 35.1 million, according to the Pakistani Embassy.

CHINA-PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a framework of regional connectivity. The Corridor will have a positive impact in Iran, Afghanistan, the Central Asian Republic, and the region as well.

According to the CPEC authorities, the mission and vision of the corridor are to improve the lives of Pakistani, and Chinese citizens. By building an economic corridor to promote bilateral connectivity, construction; also to explore potential bilateral investment, economic and trade, logistics, and people-to-people contact for regional connectivity, the objective would be complete.

It is important to mention that the CPEC also includes other things like the Integrated Transport & IT systems including Road, Rail, Port, Air, and Data Communication Channels. It also includes energy cooperation, Spatial Layout, Functional Zones, Industries, and Industrial Parks; Agricultural Development.

Deputy Minister of Industry of Belarus Mr. Alexandre during the meeting with the Pakistani Ambassador Khan
Deputy Minister of Industry of Belarus Mr. Alexandre during the meeting with the Pakistani Ambassador Khan (Pakistan-Belarus relations)

According to the CPEC authority then it includes the Socio-Economic Development like Poverty Alleviation, Medical Treatment; and also Education, Water Supply, Vocational Training.

Finally, CPEC includes tourism Cooperation & People-People Communication; Cooperation in Livelihood Areas, Financial Cooperation, and also Human Resource Development. The main Institutional Framework of CPEC is the Joint Cooperation Committee.