MINSK, 5 April (BelTA) – Belarus and Afghanistan have signed an agreement on military-technical, information, and cultural cooperation, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Industry Ministry.
The first meeting of the Afghanistan-Belarus joint committee on trade and economic cooperation took place in Kabul on 3-4 April. The Belarusian delegation was led by Co-Chairman of the committee, Industry Minister Pavel Utyupin. The event was also attended by representatives of Belarusian enterprises, Afghan ministries, government agencies, and companies. The parties discussed ways to step up cooperation between the countries, focusing on strengthening bilateral economic ties.
Co-Chairman of the committee, Afghanistan’s Economy Minister Mustafa Mastur pointed out that Belarus is Afghanistan’s significant trade partner and noted that cooperation in trade and industry with Belarus is very important. He also called to develop relations between the countries in various areas and offered to set up joint working groups to enhance bilateral cooperation. In turn, Pavel Utyupin pointed out the historical significance of the meeting in Kabul and assured the participants that Belarus is eager to bolster cooperation with Afghanistan across the board.
The delegations defined the most promising areas of cooperation, considered further steps to design a roadmap for cooperation. The parties signed an agreement on military-technical, information, cultural cooperation, as well as commercial contracts to supply Belarusian goods to Afghanistan.
Pavel Utyupin also met with Chief Executive of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah, Industry and Commerce Minister Ajmal Ahmadi, Agriculture Minister Nasir Ahmad Durrani, and executives of Afghan commerce and industry chambers. The parties discussed organizing supplies of Belarusian goods and services, joint business events and exhibitions.
In 2018, the trade turnover between Belarus and Afghanistan rose by 31% from 2017 to $38.7 million. Trade surplus amounted to $38.1 million. Belarus’ primary exports included oil products, tractors and truck tractors, rods and aluminum extrusions.