Belarus keen to expand trade

Belarus Ambassador Uladzimir A Sakalouski called on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office yesterday afternoon. PHOTO: PID

Sakalouski showed the interest to bolster ties between the two countries when he called on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office yesterday afternoon.

The prime minister stressed the need for enhancing trade relation between Dhaka and Minsk to increase further cooperation between the two nations.

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Khaleda urged Belarus to import more garments, tea, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, jute and leather products from Bangladesh.

Sakalouski, resident in Delhi, underscored the need for further enhancing cooperation and expressed the hope that Bangladesh and Belarus would soon have full-fledged missions in their respective capitals -- Minsk and Dhaka.

He said the friendly ties should be made more active and successful through expanding areas of cooperation and development.

The envoy extended Belarus President Alyaksandr Laka Shenka's invitation to Khaleda Zia to visit Belarus at a mutually convenient time.

Laying importance on the visit of Khaleda Sakalouski said any such top level visit would open the areas of cooperation and development.

Khaleda accepted the invitation and also urged the envoy to convey her invitation to Belarus President to visit Bangladesh.

The Belarus ambassador said a trade fair would be held in Minsk and invited Bangladesh to participate in the trade fair.

Sakalouski, who is visiting here for the third time, praised the present development trend in Bangladesh and wished its success.

Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Dr Kamaluddin Siddiqui was present.

The ambassador also called on Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan at his office.

The foreign minister appreciated the commitment of support of Belarus to Bangladesh for its candidature for the ECOSOC membership this year, a foreign office press release said.

Sakalouski sought the support of Bangladesh for his country's candidature for the ECOSOC. In this regard, the foreign minister also gave assurance to support Belarus.

The ambassador extended an invitation to the foreign minister to visit his country at a convenient time. The minister accepted the invitation and the visit might take place in May or June next year.

The foreign minister emphasised on frequent visits of the high-powered business and investment delegations to both the countries to explore greater areas of cooperation in trade and economy. Bilateral trade between the two countries is nearly 7 million US dollar which is very insignificant, he added.

Bangladesh imports surgical equipment, machinery, furniture, tractors and tractor spares from Belarus and possible exportable items from Bangladesh are tobacco, pharmaceuticals, knit apparels, hides and skin, ceramic products, cotton yarn fabrics, jute and jute goods, tea and leather bags.

They hoped that bilateral cooperation between the two countries especially in the field of trade and investment would grow further in the days ahead.