Pakistan valued its relations with Belarus:President Mamnoon Hussain

Lahore: President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday said that Pakistan valued its relations with Belarus and desired to build broad-based, substantive and long term relations with Belarus in all fields, particularly in trade and economy.

The President said this during the one-on-one meeting with
Belarusian Prime Minister Andrey Kobyakov, who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr and subsequent delegation level meeting.

President Mamnoon expressed satisfaction at the
growing relations between the two countries and stated that three
visits between the two countries at the highest level during the
last six months and formation of the “Working Group for Cooperation in the Belarusian Parliament with the Parliament of Pakistan” would provide impetus to enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

He said the two countries had immense potential for
economic and commercial relations and the trade volume between the two countries should be increased to the level of true potential in
the field.
The President said that Pakistan offered excellent
opportunities for foreign investors with investment-friendly
regulations and called upon Belarusian investors to make use of the
incentives provided by the government in Special Economic Zones.
The Roadmap for Economic Cooperation signed between the two
countries on Tuesday would provide a framework for enhancing economic cooperation, he remarked.

The President said there was a great scope for increasing
relations in the fields of textile, heavy vehicles, agricultural
equipment, pharmaceuticals, dairy products and other machinery.
He underscored the need for sustaining the momentum of
cooperation between the two countries as a result of 18 MoUs
(memorandums of understanding) / agreements signed on Tuesday
which would lay a solid foundation for future cooperation in
diverse areas.
The President emphasized that Pakistan was committed to
root out the scourge of terrorism as it had been the worst victim
of it.
He said that the ongoing military operation `Zarb-e-Azb’
was directed against all terrorists and it would continue till
elimination of the last terrorist.
The Belarus delegation comprised Ministers for Industries,
Architecture and Construction, Agriculture and Food, Education,
Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador of Belarus.
The Pakistani delegation consisted of Advisor to the Prime
Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, Minister for National Food
Security and Research, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Minister for
States and Frontier Regions, Lt. Gen. (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch,
Minister of State for Education and Professional Training, Muhammad Baligh ur Rehman and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi.

Prime Minister Andrey Kobyakov said that his country was
desirous of expanding cooperation with Pakistan in sectors of
trade, education, culture, economy and information technology.
He offered education facilities for Pakistani students in
Belarusian universities.
The Prime Minister of Belarus also stated that his country
would cooperate with Pakistan for the success of China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
Earlier, the Belarusain Prime Minister was warmly received
on his arrival at the Aiwan-e-Sadr by the President. Two
traditionally dressed children presented a bouquet to him.
Later, President Mamnoon Hussain hosted a state banquet in
the honour of Belarusian Prime Minister and his delegation at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
After the banquet, a band of Pakistan Army played
delightful tunes which were appreciated by the visiting dignitary.