Uzbekistan, Belarus continue to develop relations
04/07/2013 14:55
Uzbekistan, Belarus continue to develop relations
04/07/2013 14:55
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Belarus is considering Uzbekistan as one of its main trade partners in the Central Asian region and hopes for fruitful cooperation in all areas, Ambassador of Belarus to Uzbekistan Igor Sokol said in interview to Turkiston-Press news agency.
Igor Sokol underlined that this year Uzbekistan and Belarus are marking the 20th anniversary of the diplomatic relation. He said that expansion of bilateral cooperation and mutual support at multilateral platforms are main direction of development of the Uzbek-Belarusian cooperation.
He said that meeting between Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makey in April 2013 within the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS states in Tashkent was an important event of bilateral political dialogue. The sides discussed issues of cooperation between two states in all directions.
He noted that Belarus supported intention of Uzbekistan to become member of the CIS free trade agreement. Uzbekistan and Belarus signed a memorandum of understanding in January 2013.
He recalled that in May, Uzbekistan joined the CIS free trade agreement. The corresponding protocol was signed in Minsk at the session of the Council of the heads of the governments of the CIS, which was attended by the First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov.
Belarusian envoy said that Uzbekistan and Belarus cooperate within international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, ILO and others and support initiatives of each other. Igor Sokol said that Belarus is ready to develop political dialogue in high level.
Ambassador underlined that BELAZ trucks are widely used in such enterprises as Navoi Mining and Metallurgy Combine and Almalyk Mining and Metallurgy Combine, Uzbekugol and cement plants.
He said that several thousands of Belarusian tractors are used at the fields in Uzbekistan. It is planned to deliver equipment of Bobruyskagromash and about 39 units of equipment worth US$350,000 were delivered to Uzbekistan in January-May.
Road construction, agriculture and harvesting equipment of Amkodor are also popular abroad, including in Uzbekistan, he said. Amkodor opened its office in Tashkent – Amkodor-Tashkent. The enterprise promotes Amkodor equipment in Uzbekistan and provides maintenance services.
He said that refrigerators of Atlant are also highly demanded in Uzbekistan. Belarusian firm delivered 12,400 refrigerators to Uzbekistan in 2012 and plans to deliver another 16,000 in 2013.
Ambassador underlined that Belarus currently supplies 150-180 types of goods and about 2/3 of them are high technologic equipment. He said that major part of products is used in production process at the Uzbek enterprises.
Igor Sokol said that Belarus is one of the largest dairy producers and the products are delivered to Uzbek markets. He said that Belarus also imports large volume of food products from Uzbekistan.
Ambassador underlined that Belarusian citizens highly rate automobiles of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan delivered 514 cars to Belarus in 2012 and 198 cars in 2013. Uzbekistan increases supply of cotton-fibre, cotton yarn, fresh and dry grapes, women, men and children clothes.
He said that there were 17 joint Uzbek-Belarusian companies in Uzbekistan as of 1 January 2013 and one enterprise with 100% Belarusian capital, according to data of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade of Uzbekistan.
He underlined that Uzbekistan and Belarus are not using their trade-economic potential fully. He said that the sides reached several agreements to expand turnover of two states.
In particular, Belarus Universal Commodity Exchange and Uzbekistan Commodity Exchange agreed to create single trade platform. Zartola Tekstil will sell its products via Belarus Universal Commodity Exchange.
Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and Belarus are boosting their activities as well, the diplomat said.
Minsk and Tashkent tractor plants are cooperating closely. Belarusian producer will supply various components and spare parts to Tashkent plant.
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