Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 July (BelTA) – There is the potential to develop trade and economic relations between Belarus and France, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to France Pavel Latushko said in an interview with BelTA. Pavel Latushko is in Minsk for the annual seminar of the heads of the diplomatic missions and consular offices which is running at the Academy of Public Administration under the aegis of the President of Belarus.

According to Pavel Latushko, the two countries' trade is approximately $500 million, but that figure does not match the potential of trade and economic relations.” “In order to bolster them, a number of activities have been undertaken to create the bilateral incentive mechanisms of cooperation in this field," he said.

In particular, the diplomat noted, plans have been made to set up an intergovernmental trade and economic commission, and the relevant proposal has been submitted to the French side. In February this year Minsk hosted the opening ceremony of a representative office of the French-Belarusian Business Club, a public institution for promotion of trade and investment cooperation. Work has been intensified in the regions of France. Nine thematic presentations in major cities were attended by representatives of many French companies.

Pavel Latushko noted that the diplomatic mission has been supervising the most important joint projects, which also helps untap the potential of trade and economic cooperation. For example, last month Belarus hosted a French delegation who was interested in establishing enterprises to manufacture attached implements (for farm machines a). "We are negotiating the possibility of creating an assembly plant of one of the French automobile giants. Hopefully soon the negotiations will finish with a positive result,” the Ambassador said.

In addition, he said, a possibility to build a sports hospital in Minsk is being explored. "These and other projects should signal other French companies that they should advance to Belarus, that the country has a good business climate,” said Pavel Latushko.

He added that in addition to economic and trade interaction the two countries have been cooperating in the field of culture. In particular, this year, Belarus is holding the Days Of Culture in France which are the largest in the history of bilateral relations. They will cover 26 cities and are expected to be attended by about 120,000 people. These include tours of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater, Yanka Kupala Theater, a number of exhibitions, etc. "All of these projects are implemented without the use of budgetary funds,” said the diplomat.