Expert: very good and friendly relationship developing between Belarus, Oman
President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko held a meeting with Crown Prince Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of the Sultanate of Oman on May 19th. Belarus is steadily strengthening its position in the Middle East, and it has many reliable partners in this region. In his talk with Alfa Radio, political expert Vadim Borovik explained why Belarus is interested in Oman.
“Oman is of great interest to Belarus from the point of view of transport and logistics routes. This country is a hub that can connect Europe, the East, and Africa. Differently speaking, it is a springboard for Belarusian exports. Other spheres of interest include engineering, light industry, products, and tourism,” Mr. Borovik noted.
The expert added that Belarusian embassies in different countries act as on-site headquarters that allow transport or trade hubs to create a springboard for exports. According to Mr. Borovik, co-operation with the Middle East is a necessary direction, and it is absolutely logical within the framework of the foreign trade diversification policy. "Belarus is developing relations with the Middle East in order to further ensure its economic sovereignty and have additional markets,” he said. “Therefore, Aleksandr Lukashenko's meeting with the Crown Prince of Oman was of a great importance. We enjoy very good and friendly relations with this region, and I am sure that our perseverance, decency and diligence will help us develop even more effective relations.”
As noted by Mr. Borovik, Belarus is building relations with Africa – which is a promising region as well – in the same vein. “In Africa, for example, many countries have a low start, so the economy there will develop dynamically and show very high growth figures. Our products are competitive in the Middle East and Africa, and they enjoy demand there. We can share our competencies in the fields of construction, healthcare, agricultural development, and land reclamation in these regions, while also supplying machinery and light industry products. Moreover, Belarus can help build new industries there, thus creating a foothold. This is a well-thought-out strategy,” he said.
Mr. Borovik added that Belarus’ economy is not global, but compact – so it has no need to absorb huge markets. According to the expert, the republic has enough normal healthy presence, high-quality mutually beneficial bilateral and multilateral co-operation, and this will allow it to ensure normal foreign trade.
