-
Visit of President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Islamabad to Foster Connectivity between Belarus and Pakistan
-
Belarus and Pakistan have signed draft for cooperation on international road transport
-
Pakistan and Belarus trade volume ranges around $ 25-95 million annually
-
Pakistan and Belarus to sign cooperation agreements and MoUs during the visit of President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Islamabad
Islamabad: Pakistan and Belarus are expected to bolster cooperation partnership, especially in international road transportation, as Belarusian President, Aleksandr Lukashenko undertakes his official visit to Islamabad, from 25-27 November, 2024.
The visit of President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, showcases the strong bilateral partnership, and growing connectivity between the two countries.
During the official visit to Pakistan, President Lukashenko will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and discuss areas of bilateral cooperation and engagement.
Several cooperation agreements and MoUs will also be signed during the visit.
According to a curtain raiser issued by the Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the visit of the President of Belarus reflects the strong and growing partnership between Pakistan and Belarus.
“President of the republic of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, will undertake an official visit to Pakistan from Nov. 25-27,” the foreign office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, said at a weekly press briefing. “President Lukashenko will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discuss the areas of bilateral cooperation,”
Pakistan and Belarus, the world’s 74th-largest economy by GDP, celebrated thirty years of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Belarus after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and maintains an embassy in Minsk.
The prime minister of Belarus was in Islamabad earlier this year where he met his counterpart as well as the chief of the Pakistan army, among other key leaders.
In September, Pakistan and Belarus discussed different options for a joint venture to establish a tractor plant in the country and reached a consensus on collaborating on a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine to protect cattle, as well as on the capacity building of agricultural engineers in machinery design.
They also agreed to enhance cooperation in the sectors of livestock and seeds, and work together on the mechanization of agriculture and on increasing market access for agricultural and livestock products. Belarus also wants to set up a veterinary medicine plant in Pakistan.
The First Pakistan-Belarus Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was held in 2015 in which the two countries agreed to initiate joint ventures in the textile, pharmaceutical and lighting solution industries and share technological expertise.
On Nov, 21, 2024, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No. 430 which approved the draft agreement between the governments of Belarus and Pakistan on international road transport as a basis for negotiations on 21 November.
This agreement defines the procedure for international road transportation of passengers and cargo, the conditions for mutual exemption of carriers from customs duties, taxes and fees related to the use of means of transport.
This international agreement will promote cooperation between Belarus and Pakistan in road transport and facilitate the export of road transport services to Pakistan and neighboring countries.
The Belarusian Transport and Communications Ministry shall negotiate the draft agreement and sign it.
- Pakistan and Belarus trade volume ranges around $ 25-95 million annually
The volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Belarus has varied in the range of $ 25-95 million annually that in the past ten years, said Ambassador of Republic of Belarus to Pakistan, Andrei Metelitsa.
On average, the annual bilateral trade turnover is $50-60 million between two countries, Andrei Metelitsa told news media of Pakistan.
The bilateral trade between Belarus and Pakistan was mutually beneficial. He said that Pakistan had been a traditional market for Belarusian tractors for over 60 years and over the past 10 years, the volume of tractor deliveries has averaged 2500 to 3000 units per year, added the Ambassador said that
