BISHKEK (TCA) — Belarus and Afghanistan plan to set up joint food processing ventures, Belarus’ BelTA information agency reported with reference to the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry.
Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats held talks with an official Afghan delegation in Minsk on February 17. Members of the delegation invited Belarus to establish joint food processing ventures in Afghanistan and develop joint brands. It was suggested that Belarus could supply to Afghanistan flour, beef, poultry meat, and dairy products, the ministry said.
Minister Zayats invited the Afghan side to work together to organize training of students from Afghanistan at Belarusian agricultural universities and also advanced training courses for specialists in all fields of agricultural production.
The parties signed a memorandum of understanding in matters related to cooperation in agriculture.
The Afghan delegation also showed interest in implementing joint mechanical engineering projects with Belarus.
In 2016, trade between Belarus and Afghanistan totaled $26.4 million, a 60-percent increase from 2015. Belarus exported $15.5 million worth of products and imported goods worth $10.9 million. Belarusian agricultural organizations sold $6.4 million worth of products to Afghanistan in 2016, up by 40 percent from 2015, and imported $10.9 million worth of products (a 25-fold increase). Belarus’ major exports were oil products ($8.1 million), tractors ($6.2 million), pharmaceutical products ($262,000), and car and tractor parts and accessories ($202,400). Belarus mainly imported fruit (apricots, cherry, sweet cherry, and peaches), tomatoes, cabbages, and other vegetables (fresh and frozen).
