Belarusian envoy says trade turnover between Uzbekistan-Belarus to reach US$165m-US$175m in 2008

Tashkent (UzDaily.com)-- Bilateral trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Belarus will reach US$165 million-US$175 million in 2008, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarusian to Uzbekistan Igor Sokol told journalists on 24 October.

Belarusian envoy said that trade turnover between countries made up US$110.5 million in January-August 2008. Overall, the bilateral trade grew 3.5 times in last four year, he said.

Sokol said that the flight between two countries can boost trade-economic relations further and underlined that the sides are holding talks on agreement on launch of flight between Tashkent and Uzbekistan.

Ambassador said that mutual interest is great and the sides can sign concrete agreements on cooperation in some spheres within 2009-2010. Sokol also said the countries could also cooperate in sport and tourism.

Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Belarus reached US$120.3 million in 2007. Fabrics, yarn, fruits and nuts, oil products, plastics, services, equipment and others are main export items of Uzbekistan to Belarus. Uzbekistan, in its turn, imports vehicles, equipment, non-ferrous metal, pharmaceutical products, sugar, etc.

Seven enterprises with the Belarusian capital work in Uzbekistan, of which 4 are with 100% Belarusian investments. Uzbek investor created six joint ventures in Belarus.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko appointed Igor Sokol as envoy to Uzbekistan in spring 2008. Mr. Sokol handed over credentials to Uzbek President Islam Karimov on 15 October.