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Pakistan, Belarus agree to enhance bilateral trade to $1bn in four years

ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan and Belarus have agreed to work for enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries to one billion dollars in the next four years.

The agreement was reached during the one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Pakistan and Belarus have agreed to forge their multi-dimensional cooperation including trade, industry, agriculture, science and technology and education.

In their joint press talk after the talks, the two leaders said they discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in all fields.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the concrete outcome of the visit was signing of a joint statement reaffirming commitment of the two countries to further develop bilateral relations in all areas. He said both sides signed fourteen agreement and MoUs in the fields of trade, finance, science and technology, vocational training, education and culture.

The two countries also exchanged notes on three instruments of ratification enabling entry into force of relevant agreements in trade and other areas. He said these agreements would go a long way in promoting and facilitating trade and investment to mutual benefit of the two countries.

Mian Nawaz Sharif expressed the confidence that interaction between the business community of the two countries at today’s business and investment forum would leverage opportunities for joint ventures and business deals.

He said Pakistan and Belarus also exchanged views on regional and global issues. He thanked Belarus President for his understanding and support on issues of interest to Pakistan.

President Alexander Lukashenko expressed pleasure that Pakistan was eager to promote ties with Pakistan in all fields.

He said the two countries have agreed to cooperate in industry and nuclear energy.

The distinguished guest said Pakistan and Belarus have reaffirmed the necessity of further development of cooperation in science and technology. He noted with satisfaction that the two sides have established a joint research centre in Islamabad.

He underlined the need for exchange of visits to forge cooperation in industrial and agricultural fields. He also emphasized the need for direct aviation links between the two countries in order to stimulate bilateral relations.

Referring to the prevailing regional environment, he said Belarus wants peaceful resolution of all issues. He extended an invitation to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit Belarus.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Belarus have signed fourteen agreements and memorandum of understanding for enhancing cooperation in different fields including trade, education, science and technology and communication.

The two leaders signed a joint statement expressing commitment to deepen their friendly relations in political, trade, economic, industrial and a host of other areas. The statement also noted commonalities of views between the two countries on regional and international issues.

The Belarus delegation at the signing ceremony was led by President Alexander Lukashenko while the Pakistani delegation was led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.  Belarus President and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also signed an agreement to issue commemorative postage stamp.

Earlier, during the one-on-one meeting, Prime Minister emphasized the need for accelerating implementation of fifty agreements and MoUs signed between the two countries in the last sixteen months.

Expressing satisfaction over expansion of bilateral relations in different fields, he said we need to maintain this momentum.  Nawaz Sharif said the security situation in Pakistan has improved considerably, paving the way for increased economic and investment opportunities.

He said both the countries need to further encourage joint ventures and business-to-business contacts in different areas including textiles, heavy machinery, pharmaceuticals, and automotive.

The President of Belarus deeply appreciated the progress and development made in various sectors by Pakistani economy. He congratulated the Prime Minister for the economic turn around and huge successes made in the war against terror.

Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus is eager to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in diverse fields and sectors.