Pakistan, Belarus to set up JVs in auto, agri sectors

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized advancing political dialogue and strengthening inter-parliamentary relations, according to a joint statement issued after their talks on Tuesday.

The statement highlighted a focus on expanding trade and economic cooperation, promoting regional economic integration and connectivity, and enhancing the legal framework to facilitate bilateral collaboration.

President Lukashenko had arrived on an official visit to Pakistan on Monday at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz. During the visit, the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties in political, trade, economic, and other sectors.

This year marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Belarus. Both sides acknowledged that the bilateral relationship had grown into a durable, broad-based, and comprehensive partnership.

Pakistan congratulated Belarus on its full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The prime minister appreciated the active participation of the Belarus prime minister in the SCO Council of Heads of Governments meeting, hosted by Pakistan in October 2024.

Acknowledging Belarus's advanced agricultural manufacturing expertise and the needs of Pakistan's agriculture-driven economy, both sides agreed to foster joint ventures in agriculture and industry, particularly for the production of high-tech agricultural machinery.

Both sides also agreed to collaborate in sales, manufacturing and servicing of vehicles, including through partnerships between private and public organisations of both countries. This initiative aimed at leveraging the strengths of both countries in automotive manufacturing and technology.

Both sides also agreed to cooperate in expanding the network of sales and services of Belarusian agricultural machinery in various Pakistani cities, including through partnerships with Pakistani private and public organisations. They also considered educational programmes in agricultural manufacturing.

The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the success of the Belarus-Pakistan Business Forum, jointly organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), and the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

To enhance trade linkages, both sides welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and Beltamozhservice and agreed to encourage other stakeholders to develop optimal maritime and land routes to deliver goods to each other's markets.

This initiative aims at streamlining transportation, reducing costs, and improving the overall efficiency of trade between the two countries. Two agreements for joint scientific and technical projects under the umbrella of the Joint Commission on Science and Technology were also signed.

Both sides emphasised the importance of enhancing bilateral trade in pharmaceutical products, medical devices, health-related items, and over-the-counter products. The two sides agreed to improve trade facilitation by addressing trade barriers, particularly regulatory challenges, to streamline market access.

Additionally, the two countries committed to exploring and implementing policies that enhanced mutual market access for these sectors, ensuring compliance with national regulations, while promoting growth and cooperation, the joint statement said.

The two sides underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of education and culture, including the promotion of cultural exchange programmes, boosting people-to-people contacts through art, music, literature, and other cultural activities.

Both countries also committed themselves to enhancing academic collaboration, facilitating student exchanges, and supporting joint research projects between universities in the two countries. The two sides also discussed important regional and international issues, the joint statement said.

During the visit, a total of 15 important agreements and MOUs, including a "Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Belarus for the period 2025-2027, were signed.

This roadmap focused on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation through various initiatives, such as high-level meetings, timely meetings of inter-governmental commissions, and promoting collaboration in key sectors of mutual interest.

The Pakistani side briefed the Belarusian side about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Both sides underlined the need for resolution of all international disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions.

The two leaders expressed deep concern over the situation in the Middle East, which had led to a humanitarian crisis and significant civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent cessation of hostilities in the Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

The two leaders underscored the importance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. They highlighted that the ongoing conflict had far-reaching consequences, not only for the region, but also for global stability and security.

Both leaders called on all parties involved to prioritise negotiations and peaceful means to address all underlying issues, reaffirming their commitment to supporting initiatives that foster lasting peace and stability in the region.

Earlier, President Lukashenko was accorded guard of honour upon arrival at the Prime Minister House. Shehbaz and Lukashenko then introduced their respective delegations to each other before proceeding for the bilateral meeting and delegation-level talks.

President Lukashenko is scheduled to visit Murree on Wednesday (today), where he would attend a luncheon in his honour to be hosted by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif at Government House in Kashmir Point.

Nawaz has been staying in Murree for the past two days. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also reached Murree on Tuesday via a helicopter. The luncheon would be attended by important government personalities.