MINSK: Belarus wants to gradually advance to the strategic level of cooperation with Zimbabwe and sees a big potential for the development of bilateral relations, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the extended talks with Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 17 January, BelTA has learned. “Zimbabwe is Belarus’ important partner in the region of Southern Africa, and we want to gradually advance to the highest strategic level of cooperation. The relations between the countries are increasingly vibrant right now. However, there is still a big untapped potential for interaction. We will need to step up efforts, especially in trade and economy, in the coming years,” the head of state said. Alexander Lukashenko expressed confidence that the visit of Emmerson Mnangagwa will give an impetus to the development of bilateral relations. “You have described the country’s development path very profoundly. You told the global community that Zimbabwe is open for business. We suppose that this approach will have a positive influence on the implementation of the Belarusian-Zimbabwean joint projects,” the Belarusian leader believes. “I am informed that your priority is to turn Zimbabwe into a leading country in terms of economic growth in Africa within a short period of time.”
The president is convinced that Zimbabwe has all tools for the rapid economic growth and resolution of pending issues concerning the wellbeing of people. “Belarusians are ready to help you. And you know that we can do it,” Alexander Lukashenko remarked. Belarus is interested in the delivery of freight vehicles and buses, other equipment for the mining industry, tractors, foodstuffs to the Zimbabwean market. The Belarusian side is ready to discuss the prospects of Belarus’ participation in joint projects in agriculture, construction, energy sector, geological survey, mining. In 2018 several multi-million-dollar agreements were concluded to export Belarusian equipment to Zimbabwe with the financial assistance of the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. It is expected that the deliveries will start after the harmonization of all procedures in accordance with these agreements. According to the Belarusian president, projects to build meat and dairy factories, vegetable growing and processing facilities can make a significant contribution to strengthening of bilateral relations. The sides also outlined the prospects of cooperation in the transport sector. This pertains to the development of Zimbabwe’s transport infrastructure and setting up a transport and logistics center there. “Unique landscape and natural, mineral and recreational resources of Zimbabwe also offer broad opportunities for our cooperation. Therefore, Belarusian companies can take part in the erection of hydroenergy facilities, turn-key construction of solar power stations, geological survey and mining of natural resources,” the Belarusian head of state said. He mentioned active development of humanitarian cooperation. The sides concluded agreements on student exchange, higher education opportunities for Zimbabwean people in Belarus. Besides, leading healthcare organizations of Belarus can provide high-quality medical aid to Zimbabwean citizens. “Our achievements in neurosurgery, orthopedics, cardiology, oncology, transplantology, medical rehabilitation are well known abroad,” Alexander Lukashenko remarked. The head of state believes that the formation of the Belarusian-Zimbabwean intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation could stimulate the fulfillment of plans. He noted that direct contacts and good communication between ministries, organizations and companies are needed to facilitate the implementation of investment and joint projects. “We should pay maximum attention to the proposals of both sides. This is the only way to fulfill our plans,” the head of state believes. Alexander Lukashenko added that business circles, associations of businessmen, chambers of commerce and industry of the two states should also become important elements in the development of new joint projects. “Belarus is open for dialogue on all topics of interest. We are prepared to the comprehensive discussion of our interaction, the ways to increase bilateral trade and expand mutually beneficial partnership. I want to emphasize that there are no closed topics in cooperation with Zimbabwe for Belarus,” the president concluded. Agencies
