Press releases

MINSK, 13 May (BelTA) – A regional forum of countries partaking in the One Belt, One Road initiative may take place in Belarus in 2016, Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said as he met with Chinese Deputy Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan on 13 May, BelTA has learned.

“The sides are currently mulling over the issue to hold the regional forum of countries partaking in the Silk Road Economic Belt concept in Belarus in 2016. In this context, I would like to say that inter-regional trade and economic cooperation is more important than the implementation of joint projects and delivery of products. Such issues as openness and mutual trust between partners, joint efforts to reach concrete results and find new opportunities are also important,” Andrei Kobyakov said.

The Belarusian head of government said that the Chinese government has recently done a lot to move investment projects to the forefront of the Belarusian-Chinese relations. In his words, Belarus still counts on clear signals and prompt initiatives from the Chinese side, especially, in promoting projects involving direct investments of large Chinese hi-tech companies with global reputation. The Belarusian government is ready to create the most favorable conditions for the implementation of all bilateral projects and promotion of economic relations, Andrei Kobyakov said.

Zhong Shan, in turn, thanked Andrei Kobyakov for the warm welcome and expressed hope that the two countries will continue productive cooperation.