(Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China), BelTA learned from the press service of the Ministry of the Economy.
This year Belarus is the guest of honor at the exhibition. “China is our most important strategic partner. This year, we celebrate five years since the leaders of our states established the highest level of mutual relations in the history of Belarusian-Chinese cooperation – a comprehensive strategic partnership based on trust and mutually beneficial cooperation. Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Our trade and economic cooperation shows progressive growth and momentum. China is one of Belarus’ three largest trading partners: in 2020, mutual trade reached a record $ 4.6 billion, up 60% from 2011, ”said Aleksandr Chervyakov.
Despite the pandemic, Belarusian exports of goods and services to China continue to grow. Last year it exceeded $ 1.2 billion. In the first half of 2021, the figure was up 21% from the same period in 2020 to $ 624 million.
According to the minister, more than a hundred Belarusian companies are accredited to work in the Chinese market. The governments of both countries aim to eliminate trade barriers and restrictions. Active work is underway to develop a free trade area for services and investments with China.
Aleksandr Chervyakov underlined the role of the Great Stone Industrial Park as a center of attraction for Chinese and international investments: “Some 700 million dollars have already been invested in the project. A total of 73 residents of 13 countries were registered, with more than $ 1 billion in investments reported in total. The new decree creates the best legal conditions for doing business compared to other economic zones of the EAEU and the EU. The industrial park represents enormous prospects and opportunities for commercial development on the Belt and Road platform, including a multimodal rail terminal which is under construction in the park.
At the end of his speech, the Minister invited the participants of the event to establish and expand trade cooperation with Belarus, to implement high-tech projects in promising sectors such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, electronics, logistics, ICT and energy.