Opinions & Interviews

BAKU, 20 November (BelTA) – Belarus and Azerbaijan are able to considerably increase their trade and economic cooperation in various sectors in the near future, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Azerbaijan Nikolai Patskevich told media on 19 November, BelTA has learnt.

The Belarusian diplomat expressed confidence that the forthcoming official visit of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to Azerbaijan would add momentum to further development of relations between the two countries. “We expect good results from the visit. The Belarusian delegation will comprise heads of national ministries and agencies who have conducted huge preparatory work for signing a big number of documents,” the diplomat said.

According to Nikolai Patskevich, the visit can result in important agreements in trade and economic relations, expansion and intensification of industrial cooperation.

According to the Ambassador, today Belarus and Azerbaijan enjoy all fundamental conditions for dynamic development of bilateral cooperation. Belarus increases exports to Azerbaijan every year, expands their assortment, widens the network of its trading representatives in the country. “Belarusian tractors, trucks, utility equipment are produced in Azerbaijan. This year we have started assembling buses there and launched the implementation of other projects,” the Belarusian diplomat said.

Nikolai Patskevich noted that humanitarian contacts are of great importance in the development of trade and economic cooperation with Azerbaijan: “The level of credibility and respect is a deciding factor in developing trade and economic relations.”

“Progress is possible in almost every area,” Nikolai Patskevich believes.

In his words, Azerbaijan is currently actively involved in the development of its industry. That means new projects and ideas for cooperation with Belarusian partners. There are good prospects for the medical industry as well. “Azerbaijan has launched the development of its pharmaceutical industry. We have made our proposals and today we are considering several projects,” the diplomat noted.

Belarusian technology and equipment can enjoy great popularity in the agricultural sector of Azerbaijan. Amkodor has won the tender to supply its melioration equipment. The company is expected to deliver 80 diggers to Azerbaijan by the end of the year. The parties have almost come to the agreement on developing a joint organization that will be engaged in the sales and advancement of this equipment, with the prospects of launching its production in the country,” Nikolai Patskevich said.

Prospects are huge in such areas as tourism, education, healthcare, construction and engineering.

Good prospects for partnership are also seen by MP of the Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ganja Auto Plant Khanlar Fatiyev. “Apart from Belarusian tractors and MAZ trucks of various modifications we have launched the assembling vehicles of the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. We have produced the first passenger buses in cooperation with MAZ. The local content in their production will make up 40%. Ganja Auto Plant is able to produce annually up to 5,000 tractors and 2,500-3,000 trucks. Everything depends on orders,” Khanlar Fatiyev said.

The parties are also mulling over joint penetration of the markets of third countries. in particular, the two countries are negotiating the production of component parts for Belarusian MAZ vehicles in the Sumgait technological park. The experience of creating and developing of the technological park itself, which companies produce cutting-edge industrial products, can be in great demand in Belarus. In turn, residents of the Sumgait technological park are interested in purchasing Belarusian industrial goods, such as polyethylene for the cable plant and transformers.

It has been earlier reported, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko will go on an official visit to Azerbaijan on 20-21 November.

The Belarusian President is scheduled to hold talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Belarus and Azerbaijan are expected to sign a number of bilateral documents on cooperation in various fields.