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MINSK, 20 September (BelTA) – The Free State Province of South Africa would like to study Belarusian food processing practices, Elias Magashule, the head of the Free State delegation which is currently in Belarus on a visit, told reporters before a meeting at Minsk City Hall on 20 September, BelTA has learned.

Elias Magashule noted that Belarus’ Minsk Oblast and the Free State have great cooperation prospects. “Agriculture is the linchpin of the economy of our province. We are ready to discuss a wide range of issues regarding our cooperation in this sector. First of all, we are interested in Belarusian technologies and food processing practices,” Elias Magashule said.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of South Africa to Russia with concurrent accreditation to Belarus Nomasonto Maria Sibanda-Thusi said: “Our countries are establishing new relations, and I believe that we will succeed in this. We hope our Belarusian partners will help us train specialists. We also have plans to develop cooperation in construction and healthcare.”

The South African delegation arrived in Belarus on 18 September. The visit will run through 21 September. The African guests have already visited Belarusian companies Borisovzhilstroi, Zdravushka Milk, Borisov Meat Processing Plant, and also the stadium Borisov Arena. On 20 September, the delegation will go on a tour of Minsk and pay visits to Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University and Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics.

The Free State is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein. The province has a population of some 2.7 million. The economy relies on agriculture, livestock breeding and floriculture. The Free State holds rich deposits of gold and diamonds.