DUSHANBE, November 5, 2012, Asia-Plus — State and prospects of further expansion of bilateral economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Belarus was the focus of a meeting of Sharif Rahimzoda, Minister of Economic development and Trade of Tajikistan with Ms. Olga Gavruk, Ambassador of Belarus to Tajikistan that took place here on November 2.
According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT)’s press center, the sides, in particular, noted that there was considerable room for expansion of economic ties between the two nations.
They reportedly outlined sectors like agriculture and energy as well the launch of joint ventures and participation in joint economic development projects, as areas of which could drive the bilateral trade between Tajikistan and Belarus.
We will recall on November 1, Ambassador Gavruk met with Tajik Minister of Finance Safarali Najmiddinov. The sides exchanged views on prospects of further expansion of bilateral economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Belarus in various fields. A special attention was reportedly paid to implementation of joint projects in Tajikistan, including establishment of enterprise for assembling Belarus-made tractors in the Tajik southern city of Kulob. Najmiddinov and Gavruk also considered issues related to making amendments to a government-to-government agreement between Tajikistan and Belarus on the principles of collecting indirect taxes during exportation and importation of goods, performance of works, rendering of services.
According to data, of the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, trade between Tajikistan and Belarus over the first eight months of this year has valued at more than 56 million U.S. dollars. This consisted of Tajikistan’s exports to Belarus estimated at 4 million U.S. dollars and Tajikistan’s imports from Belarus worth more than 52 million U.S. dollars. Last year, trade between the two countries amounted to some 70 million U.S. dollars, which was 67 percent more than in 2010.
