Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 September (BelTA) – Belarus is an important political and economic partner of Vietnam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Belarus Do Van Mai told BelTA.

In his words, Belarus and Vietnam have a well-established legal framework in bilateral relations. The countries have over 50 interstate and intergovernmental agreements signed. During the visit of Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Tan Dung in May 2013 the parties signed a joint communique, concluded an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in press and information, a memorandum on cooperation in the electric power industry. Today the two countries are mulling over a free trade zone agreement between the Customs Union and Vietnam.

According to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, Vietnam is Belarus’ traditional trade partner in the Asian region. At present the two countries are developing economic contacts as part of the 2013-2015 economic cooperation program between the Republic of Belarus and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Belarus’ main exports to Vietnam include potash fertilizers, truck sets, tractors, rock haulers, tires, bearings, steel products, alcoholic beverages. Following the visit of Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich to Vietnam in 2011 there were signed numerous contracts and memorandums on the supply of Belarusian products worth of nearly $275 million to Vietnam, on the implementation of projects in industrial cooperation, joint mining operations.

In 2012 Belarus’ exports to Vietnam totaled $156.1 million (95% on 2011). A slight reduction in the exports during the period under review was attributed to fewer shipments of Belarusian engineering products (rock haulers, tractors, bearings) and potash fertilizers mainly due to the economic crisis in Vietnam.

Belarus’ main exports to Vietnam in 2012 were potash fertilizers, tractors, tires, steel pipes, component parts to automotive equipment, distilled spirits. Last year Belarus considerably increased the exports of alcoholic beverages, liquid pumps, electric equipment, optic and metering instruments, isolation valves. Belarus launched the exports on 33 new commodities, including dairy products, pharmaceutical drugs, baby food, and meat products.

In January-July 2013 Belarus’ exports to Vietnam totaled $90.6 million.