Belarusian projects and technologies are in demand on the African continent

Belarus is always ready to help out Zimbabwe in any situation. The Head of the Belarusian State assured the Zimbabwe President of this during the talks at the official residence of the Zimbabwean leader.

The Presidents held talks in a one-on-one format, later the parties met in an expanded format with the participation of members of the delegations. Then the ceremony of signing bilateral documents took place. The Heads of State attended the ceremony to sign the agreements on the promotion and mutual protection of investments, on the establishment of a joint standing commission for co-operation. A memorandum of understanding on the mutual recognition of documents on education was concluded between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Zimbabwe. An intergovernmental agreement on double taxation avoidance and prevention of tax evasion with respect to taxes on income and property was signed. Another agreement that was signed was the agreement on the establishment of sister city relations between Minsk and Harare.

“Today, the President and I have held substantive talks. We took stock of the progress to implement our agreements, and also exchanged views on topical issues of the international agenda and the difficult situation that is developing in the world,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. 
As noted, Belarus has opened an embassy in Zimbabwe and expects that Zimbabwe’s diplomatic mission will appear in Minsk soon.
The Head of State drew special attention to agreements on personnel training. The parties also agreed on investment and co-operation projects in various fields, which will become the basis for the further co-operation. 
“In manufacturing, trade, agriculture, energy, transport and mining. We have also agreed that these contracts and the arrangements that we have reached today will become the basis for continuing our co-operation. We have signed an agreement to set up a Belarus-Zimbabwe standing commission on co-operation, as well as a number of other bilateral agreements and memorandums. There are already about 20 of them. The potential of our co-operation is huge. And I am sure that regular direct contacts at various levels will allow making the most of this potential. We have additionally agreed that we will put together separate groups of specialists to deal with agriculture and defence. If Zimbabwe is interested in creating joint ventures in Zimbabwe and Belarus, we are ready for it. Together with your specialists, we will process raw materials from Zimbabwe at enterprises in Belarus and share the profit. We would also welcome Zimbabwean capital in the capital of our enterprises,” Aleksandr Lukashenko explained.
The Head of the Belarusian State added, “You need to know that in the centre of Europe there is a country called Belarus which is always ready to give you a helping hand in any situation. We will put results of this visit on the scale of peace and progress.”
The Belarusian leader addressed Zimbabwe citizens and noted that today the world’s largest countries are trying to divide and redivide the planet. They are trying to subjugate countries like Belarus and Zimbabwe and benefit from doing so.
Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that Zimbabwe is richly endowed with mineral resources, and this is the reason why this country will never be allowed to live a calm life.

“Americans imposed sanctions against you not because you are not democratic. But because you’ve decided to take your country and mineral resources under your own control. You do not let various international crooks and swindlers use your mineral resources. It is the reason behind the sanctions. Like in the past centuries they are once again trying to bring you to your knees. But the President and the government of Zimbabwe do not want that. Hence the sanctions. You will be subjected to stronger attempts to sow discord in your society, to bring you to your knees. But you must stand strong. And you will get through if you are united, if you do not allow clashes between your own people inside the country due to some geopolitical ambitions or illusory promises of the West and the United States. We have to get past this complicated period in the life of our planet no matter what. Preserve peace! If you fail to do it, you will be subjected to colonial oppression once again,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasised.

Aleksandr Lukashenko’s speech was accompanied by applause many times.
The President is sure, “Africa woke up a long time ago. The world has no future without Africa. Without Africa, the world cannot develop. The future belongs to Africa. We are a peaceful nation. We are not coming here the way the colonialists once did. Furthermore, we are bringing technology and training specialists. Without Africa, there can be no development. Therefore, all the powers-that-be are here: the United States, China, Russia, the UK, the entire European Union and so on. The future belongs to Africa.”
The President of Belarus told reporters that the talks with the President of Zimbabwe included a discussion of the prospects for co-operation with Mozambique and also how the experience gained with Zimbabwe could be scaled up to that country.
The Belarusian Head of State explained that Emmerson Mnangagwa is on good terms with the leadership of Mozambique and can assist in this matter.
Following the talks, the President stressed that Belarus is intent on working together with the leadership of Zimbabwe for the benefit of the people of this country.
“We deeply respect and are grateful to the people of Zimbabwe. I’d like to emphasise that we go to Africa not for the sake of bringing some illusive democratic values. We go in order to work together with your leaders for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The Head of State noted that as part of the programme launched in 2020 to mechanise Zimbabwean farmers Belarus has supplied over 1,800 tractors and about 80 grain harvesters. These machines helped ensure the country’s food security. 
“It is just the beginning. We’ve launched the third phase of the programme to the tune of over $66 million. It provides for shipping over 3,700 tractors, 60 harvesters to the local agrarians within the next 1.5 years,” he noted.
Fire trucks of Belarusian make are now being shipped to local municipalities in Zimbabwe. Apart from that, BELAZ haul trucks are already successfully used in Zimbabwe.
“We agreed that in the near future we will ship over 30 BELAZ haul trucks that will work in Zimbabwe,” the President said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that aftersales service and maintenance of Belarusian machines and vehicles are also offered in Zimbabwe.
During a conversation with reporters following the talks, Zimbabwean leader Emmerson Mnangagwa stressed that the visit of the President of Belarus expands and consolidates bilateral relations.


“We are very happy to welcome the Belarusian President in Zimbabwe. I was hoping you would come last year. Because of the pandemic, we were forced to postpone this visit twice. But this year, we noticed that the pandemic has subsided. Finally, our dear brother was able to make a return visit. This visit demonstrates the warm relations between Harare and Minsk. This visit strengthens, expands and consolidates our bilateral relationship,” Emmerson Mnangagwa said.
He noted that Belarus provides great support to Zimbabwe with the mechanisation of the agricultural sector. Co-operation is growing in other areas.
According to Emmerson Mnangagwa, he was impressed by Belarus, by its advancements in various sectors, including the agricultural industry.
“We have decided to expand co-operation with Belarus in this area. Thanks to Belarus, we were able to solve the issue of the country’s food security once and for all,” he noted.
The leader of Zimbabwe also counts on the development of co-operation in the fields of science and technology.

“We are ready to be friends with Belarus and with all countries that are on the same page with us. It should not be a situation when one country is a horse and another is a horse driver. We all are either horses or horse drivers. We should be in the same boat and look in the same direction. Likewise, we have been getting along with Aleksandr Lukashenko since our first meeting. We realised that we look at things the same way, we have the same vision regarding the development of our countries. Since that time, we have been friends and have been working together for the benefit of our peoples,” summed up the President of Zimbabwe.

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by
Photos by BELTA