ISLAMABAD, October 28 (INP-WealthPK): Relations between Pakistan and Belarus will further improve in the coming days and mutual cooperation on the economic front will bring prosperity to the people of Pakistan and Belarus, said Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Pakistan, Ilya Kanapliou during a visit to Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA).
He said that “Pakistan is an important country enjoying a very important geo-strategic placement. Belarus understands the importance of Pakistan and this is the reason that we want to move forward in a positive direction with it. Business-to-business relations, government-level interactions and trade relations between the two countries will see a lot of improvement in the future. Mutual trade will get a boost and economic relations between the two countries will be strengthened.”
“Pakistani textile products are loved in Belarus. Especially items of women apparel are a valuable addition to wardrobes of Belarusian women. Business opportunities in Belarus should be exploited by Pakistani textile exporters. They can earn a lot of precious foreign exchange for their country by trading with their Belarusian counterparts,” he said.
“I have found Pakistan to be a fertile ground for foreign investments. Especially now that Pakistan is out of FATF grey list, Pakistan will find it easy to attract investments from abroad. Belarusian businessmen are eager to establish joint ventures with businesses in Pakistan,” he added.
He was briefed on the functions and objectives of PTEA by Vice Chairman Muhammad Idrees of PTEA. He also offered his thanks to the Belarusian government and the Belarusian people for their support to Pakistan in its testing times. “Both countries enjoy a cordial relationship. Belarus has been a long-time supporter of Pakistan. Mutual relationship between the two countries has notched up since the meeting of Shahbaz Sharif with President Lukashenko, recently in Samarkand,” he continued.
He further said that “Belarus is a potential trade partner of Pakistan. The trade volume between the two countries ranges from USD 50 to 65 million a year. There are immense possibilities and huge potential of joint ventures and cooperation in various sectors. Although gradual improvements are taking place, we believe that a lot more still needs to be done as huge potential exists to raise the two-way trade volume.”
“Business-to-business relations are a key to promote trade. Both countries can learn a lot from each other by exchanging business delegations and trade expertise. Bilateral trade will get a boost if a free trade agreement is signed between the two countries,” he added.
Later, the PTEA shield was presented to the visiting Belarusian Deputy Head of Mission. A large number of textile exporters were present on the occasion.
