Golovchenko: Belarus and Syria have the potential to increase supplies and expand industrial cooperation

Roman Golovchenko

November 23, MINSK. Belarus and Syria have great potential for increasing the supply of equipment and expanding industrial cooperation. This was stated by Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko during a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnus in an expanded format, BelTA has learned.

"Today we are ready for the most frank and detailed conversation on all issues, primarily those related to the trade and economic sphere. Despite the difficult economic situation, logistical and financial difficulties, we continue to look for ways of Belarusian-Syrian cooperation. I think that during today's meeting we we will launch one of the important schemes that will be used in the Belarusian-Syrian trade and economic relations," said Roman Golovchenko.

The Prime Minister also mentioned the joint intergovernmental commission, which, according to him, is very important. "Its meetings make it possible to promptly discuss emerging issues and determine new areas of cooperation, develop schemes and mechanisms for the implementation of relevant agreements," he said.

“There are serious prospects for increasing the supply of Belarusian equipment to Syria. We also have the potential to expand industrial cooperation, use the capacities of Syrian enterprises for the joint production of demanded engineering products,” the HEAD of the Belarusian government emphasized.

Trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Syria is developing against the backdrop of difficult conditions of economic sanctions against Syria, the destruction of transport and social infrastructure, an acute shortage of financial resources from the Syrian government and a decrease in the purchasing power of the country's population. In 2021, the trade turnover between Belarus and Syria amounted to $8.2 million (an increase of 41.3% compared to 2020), exports - $7.6 million (an increase of 47.9%), imports - $0.6 million (an increase of 6. 1%). Positive balance - $7.0 million.

Belarus mainly exports specific goods to Syria, MILK powder , whey, medicines, tractors and truck tractors, and imports OLIVE OIL, fruits and vegetables, nuts, coffee. There is also a joint Belarusian-Syrian commission on trade, economic and technical cooperation, the last meeting of which was held in January of this year.

Photo by Pavel Orlovsky