Pakistan and Belarus explore deeper industrial and agricultural ties

On November 25, Pakistan’s Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Belarusian Minister for Industries, Aliaksandr Yafimua, discussed the potential to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in industrial and agricultural cooperation. Minister Hussain emphasized the importance of exploring new avenues to augment industrial cooperation across multiple sectors including agriculture and food security.

Both ministers expressed a firm commitment to advance their partnership in various areas. Minister Yafimua pointed out Belarus’s annual import of goods worth $17.2 billion and noted the underrepresentation of Pakistani products in this trade. He highlighted the potential for Pakistani exports like inflatable footballs, bedding, sports equipment, footwear, and goods made of rubber, plastic, and metal.

The discussion also covered opportunities in agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturing. The Belarusian delegation showed a keen interest in establishing tractor manufacturing plants and exploring technology transfer through Joint Ventures (JVs) in Pakistan.

Furthermore, Minister Hussain invited his counterpart to initiate a pilot project aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in Pakistan. He mentioned that Millat Group, known for its specialization in agricultural machinery, is keen on forming a joint venture to manufacture agricultural equipment in Pakistan.

This meeting coincided with the arrival of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Islamabad for a three-day official visit, following a 68-member business delegation aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation through various agreements. During his visit, President Lukashenko is scheduled to have comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, focusing on expanding areas of bilateral cooperation with expectations of signing several agreements and MoUs.

Additionally, on the environmental front, Romina Khurshid Alam, Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change, and Belarusian Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Sergey Maslyak, agreed to enhance cooperation on environmental sustainability and climate resilience. They discussed initiating joint projects to improve climate change adaptation and resilience against global warming impacts such as floods and droughts.

Minister Maslyak also mentioned Belarus’s expertise in environmental monitoring which could complement Pakistan’s efforts in implementing eco-friendly policies and practices, suggesting further collaboration through joint ventures in these areas.