By Anton ivanov
“As we’ve already made clear through governmental channels, India is interested in buying Belaruskali shares if they are offered for sale. We are looking forward to a decision by the Belarusian Government and Belaruskali,” explains the Ambassador, adding that India has already concluded a lucrative contract to purchase potash fertilisers from Belarus.
When asked by journalists about promising areas of Belarusian-Indian co-operation, the Ambassador notes that the pharmaceutical industry interests India. “This is one of the areas in which Belarus and India are expected to co-operate closely,” he tells us, adding that Belarus and India could advance their cultural collaboration. “In particular, I’m looking for opportunities for Indian filmmakers to come to Belarus and make films,” he stresses.
India is Belarus’ traditional trading partner in Asia. In 2007, a strategic task was set at a high level meeting to increase our bilateral trade to $500m by 2010. The target was achieved in 2009. From January-May 2011, Belarusian exports to India stood at $23m and, excluding potash fertilisers, made 83 percent against the same period of 2010. Our foreign trade balance is presently negative but should become positive by the end of the third quarter.
Belarus’ main exports to India include potash fertilisers; from January-May, they brought in over $9m (almost 40 percent of Belarus’ total exports to India). Our country imports drugs and pharmaceutical products, tobacco, tea, fish products, spices and nuts from India. Meanwhile, the Belarusian Automobile Works, Minsk Tractor Works, Amkodor Association, Belshina, Integral and other enterprises are promoting their goods on the Indian market.
