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MINSK, 16 May (BelTA) – Belarus and Saudi Arabia are working to create unique optical equipment, BelTA learned from Oleg Penyazkov, Director of the Heat and Mass Transfer Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

According to the source, Belarusian scientists are working on several important R&D projects, which involve the development of unique optical equipment. Apart from that, a project is afoot to create an engine prototype powered by detonation combustion. Work is in progress to make mirrors based on silicon carbide for the sake of making better optics for the space industry.

Apart from that, Belarusian scientists are helping with calculation projects in the area of power engineering and the creation of new lighting systems based on light-emitting diodes.

The New Materials Chemistry Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus maintains tight contacts with the scientific community of Saudi Arabia. The Institute’s Director Vladimir Agabekov explained that one of the joint projects is supposed to create innovative surfaces able to withstand heat up to 3,000C. The product can be in demand in the fire-fighting service, forestry industry, and space industry. In the past Belarusian and Saudi Arabian scientists worked on projects involving aquaponics, digital paper, growth-stimulating preparations and other things.

According to Vladimir Agabekov, in the last few years the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and Saudi Arabia have implemented about 25 projects worth $44 million.

In turn, Youssuf bin Tarrad Al Sa'doun, Undersecretary for Economic and Cultural Affairs of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed that the Saudi Arabian side treasures cooperation with Belarusian scientists. “Science and technology make up the foundation of the policy of the countries that take care of the progress of their nations. Cooperation in science and technologies is the key point in the development of Belarus-Saudi Arabia bilateral cooperation. Belarusian and Saudi Arabian scientists have already produced results in the course of joint work. We are intent on upping the scale of the efforts,” noted Youssuf bin Tarrad Al Sa'doun. In his words, the Saudi Arabian side is ready to discuss the possibility of setting up joint enterprises to make the products developed by Belarusian scientists.

A Saudi Arabian delegation is in Belarus on 15-19 May. The purpose of the visit is to discuss avenues and mechanisms for expanding Belarusian-Saudi Arabian R&D cooperation, sign an agreement on cooperation in science and technologies between the governments of Belarus and Saudi Arabia. The delegation will also take part in the second session of the Belarusian-Saudi Arabian joint committee on cooperation.

On 16 May the Saudi Arabian delegation was made familiar with the permanent exhibition that highlights accomplishments of Belarusian scientists and the assimilation of their products by the production sector. Members of the delegation are expected to negotiate with top officials of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the State Science and Technology Committee. They will also visit a number of institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus such as the New Materials Chemistry Institute, the B.I. Stepanov Physics Institute, and the A.V. Lykov Heat and Mass Transfer Institute.