OREANDA-NEWS. May 23, 2012. Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich met with Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dipu Moni on 22 May.

Mikhail Myasnikovich said he was confident that Dipu Moni’s present visit would open a new page in Belarus-Bangladesh political and economic relations. “Our government will do their best to fulfill all the agreements to be reached during the present visit,” he stressed. Since the diplomatic relations were established, Belarus and Bangladesh have made serious progress in trade and economic cooperation, however, the two countries have yet space to grow into.

Belarus is ready to build several enterprises to make agricultural machines in Bangladesh, said Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich as he met with Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dipu Moni on 22 May.

The Belarusian head of government said: “We could build one enterprise or several ones to make tractors, agricultural machines and other machines you may require. They would create new jobs and added value for your enterprises. We have certain experience and are ready to review these proposals together with specialists of your country. The Belarusian Industry Minister is ready to get down to the project right away”.

According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, the legal base of Belarus-Bangladesh relations should be developed. “It seems to us that the agreements, which are nearly ready, should be signed in the nearest future,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich. Those are agreements on mutual protection of investments, visa-free travels for diplomats, agreements on military and technical cooperation and on education. Belarus is also ready to sign an agriculture agreement. “The list can be continued. Knowing your weight in the government, I ask for your assistance in expanding the legal base,” said the Prime Minister. In his words, it would be also advisable to get a mixed commission on trade and economic cooperation working as well as a commission on military and technical cooperation. Their experts could create proper conditions for successful operation of companies of the two countries in each other’s markets and in third states.

Mikhail Myasnikovich is convinced the two countries should pay close attention to personnel training. “We could train them in Belarus, in English if necessary. We could also organize a university or a college together,” he explained.

The Prime Minister of Belarus also thanked the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh for the invitation to visit Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. “I am planning to take you up on that offer at a time convenient for the sides,” he said. Mikhail Myasnikovich added a reciprocal invitation to visit Belarus had been extended to the prime minister of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh would like to cooperate with Belarus in education, agriculture and science, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dipu Moni told reporters on 22 May.

She said that during the ongoing visit to Belarus she discussed cooperation opportunities across a wide range of areas. The priority ones include agriculture, education, science and technologies and investment projects.

Bangladesh believes that the visit of Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich to Bangladesh will give an impetus to joint projects with Belarus. The visit is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year.

In 2011, the bilateral trade made up USD 134.3 million, with Belarus’ export being USD 121.2 million (up 2.4 times on 2010). The export was dominated by potash fertilizers (98%), tractors, X-ray equipment, and synthetic fibers. The major imports from Bangladesh include clothing, tobacco raw materials and jute fiber yarn.