Lukashenko: Armenia, Belarus able to double trade within two years

YEREVAN, May 13. /ARKA/. Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that his country and Armenia will at least double their bilateral trade turnover in one and a half or two years. 

Speaking today after a meeting with his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan, at a joint news conference, he said he finds it wrong that trade turnover between Belarus and Armenia amounts to only $60 million despite fast economic growth in both countries. “It is a shame for our nations and states!” he added. 

Lukashenko said that both Belarus and Armenia are interested in cooperation in all areas – from agricultural to military and political. 

“But our top-priority objective today is to develop economic contacts and to expand trade between the two countries,” he said. 

In his opinion, Armenia and Belarus should search for new forms of economic cooperation, including implementation of joint industrial and infrastructural projects. 

The Belarusian president also pointed out good prospects for cooperation in machine engineering, information technology, pharmaceutics, agriculture, energy saving, food industry and atomic energy. 

“Belarus is ready to offer most favorable conditions to Armenian partners for investing and opening businesses,” he said. “We expect a dialogue with businessmen from Armenia and representatives of Armenian communities worldwide.”

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, on his side, said there are particular promising programs of economic and investment cooperation between Armenia and Belarus. There are also tourism, agriculture, culture and science development programs.    

“We see good prospects for cooperation in information technology industry,” he said. 

Upon completion of the negotiations, the two countries’ governments signed agreements to protect ethnic minorities, to exchange information and cooperate in nuclear security and radioactive protection area as well as to cooperate in agriculture and sport areas. 

According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, the country’s trade turnover with Belarus amounted to $40.3 million in 2012 after growing 13.4%, compared with 2011.---0---