Pakistan, Belarus Foreign Ministers pledge to strengthen bilateral ties and promote trade cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Belarus have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and boosting economic cooperation, following a meeting between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and his Belarusian counterpart, Maxim Ryzhenkov, on Monday.

During the discussions, both sides emphasized the growing importance of their partnership, focusing on the upcoming visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Pakistan. The two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction over the momentum of high-level exchanges between the two nations, hoping that the visit would further solidify their diplomatic and economic ties.

The ministers also addressed key regional and global issues, including the situation in the Middle East, and emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to resolve conflicts and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They called for enhanced cooperation in international and regional organizations to advance mutual interests and tackle global challenges.

In addition to political discussions, the ministers recognized the untapped potential for economic cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus. Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, highlighted that the current trade volume does not reflect the full economic potential of both countries, urging for diversification in trade, particularly in sectors like food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, leather, logistics, and energy.

Kamal underscored the importance of reducing trade barriers and rationalizing import requirements to facilitate meaningful market access for both nations. He noted that eight business-to-business (B2B) MoUs and contracts would be signed during the Pakistan-Belarus Business Forum, signaling a positive step toward deepening trade ties. The minister also emphasized Pakistan’s attractiveness as a market, with a population of 250 million and abundant natural resources, offering significant growth opportunities for Belarusian businesses.

The forum, co-chaired by Kamal and Belarus’ Minister for Energy, Aleksei Kushnarenko, was attended by a large group of business leaders and industry representatives from both countries. The forum focused on fostering collaboration in various sectors, including agriculture, machinery, and energy. Pakistan, in particular, seeks to enhance exports in meat, dairy, and agricultural products, while Belarus is interested in expanding its presence in the Pakistani market with agricultural machinery and light industrial goods.

Minister Kushnarenko emphasized the demand for Belarusian products in Pakistan, particularly agricultural machinery and petrochemical products. He also expressed confidence that the forum would lead to new joint projects in trade, industrial production, agriculture, healthcare, and education.

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Kamal further highlighted the growing partnership within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where both Pakistan and Belarus collaborate to promote regional trade and connectivity. The discussions between the two countries have helped set clear targets for enhancing cooperation, particularly through the development of a roadmap for comprehensive electronic cooperation by 2025-2027.

As both nations look to the future, they aim to build a robust, mutually beneficial relationship that not only strengthens their economic ties but also contributes to regional development and stability. The high-level engagement and successful business forum underscore the strengthening of Pakistan-Belarus relations, marking a promising new chapter in their diplomatic and trade cooperation.