Afghanistan, Belarus set up commission for trade and economic cooperation
MINSK (TCA) — Belarus is ready to participate in major projects in the production sector and power engineering industry of Afghanistan, Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov said during his meeting with Chief Executive of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah, who was on an official visit to Belarus on August 16, BelTA news agency reported. “We suggest defining possible forms and mechanisms of getting Belarus involved in the implementation of major infrastructure projects in the manufacturing sector, mining industry, and power engineering industry in Afghanistan,” Kobyakov said. “I am talking about the organization of shipments of construction materials, the relevant equipment and machines, including their integrated maintenance services.” According to the Belarusian prime minister, Afghanistan is now busy implementing infrastructure projects. The country is busy building power lines, gas pipelines, and hydropower plants. Belarus is ready to actively participate in these and other projects. Belarus also suggests stepping up bilateral cooperation in agriculture. Apart from food Belarus is ready to sell technologies and equipment to Afghanistan. For instance, Belarus offers internationally recognized grain and forage harvesters, tractors and mounted and towed equipment for them. Belarus is ready to share its technologies and equipment for producing and processing meat, milk, fruits, and vegetables with Afghan partners. Afghanistan is willing to develop cooperation with Belarus, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah told the media after the talks with Belarus Prime Minister Kobyakov. An agreement to set up the Belarus-Afghanistan joint commission for trade and economic cooperation was signed in Minsk on 16 August. “In the light of this agreement our countries can expand the cooperation in various areas: mining, road construction, supply of agricultural products. We will also step up the exchange of experience and technologies,” Abdullah Abdullah said.
