OREANDA-NEWS. November 27, 2008. Belarus is ready to export more machinery to Syria and suggests cooperation projects, said Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky as he met with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Ottri. Mohammad Naji Ottri is on an official visit in Belarus, reported the Official website www.government.by.

Sergei Sidorsky remarked, the two countries should discuss the expansion of trade and economic cooperation, in particular, matters regarding MAZ trucks, which are used in Syria.

“Last year Syrian partners worked actively with Belarusian machines on the Iraq market. We are ready to discuss not only the resumption of supplies for Syria but also supplies to neighbouring states via Syria,” added the Belarusian Prime Minister.

In his words, tractor construction is a promising avenue of cooperation. “We suggested cooperation between Minsk Tractor Works and Syrian company Al Frat. It is also possible to start cooperation with Minsk Engine Plant for supplying components for Al Frat tractors,” said Sergei Sidorsky. Apart from that, Belarus has a large potential for manufacturing various capacity buses. These machines are used not only in Moscow but Russia and Europe. The Prime Minister suggested discussing the possibility of supplying Belarusian buses to Syria.

Belarus has supplied around 400 BelAZ automobiles to Syria over the years. At present around 150 BelAZ trucks are used in Syrian quarries. According to the Prime Minister, it is advisable to focus attention on reconstruction of the machines and supply of new automobiles. Sergei Sidorsky underscored, fuel, petrochemical, and other industries are also prospective areas of cooperation.

In 2008, the trade between Belarus and Syria can reach around US70 million, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky said. He noted that Syria is Belarus’ key partner in the Middle East and Arab world in general. For the past year the trade increased almost two times,” the Premier added. This level, however, does not meet the increased requirements of the economies of the two countries, Sergei Sidorsky added.

Sergei Sidorsky is confident that the visit of the Syrian delegation will give a new impetus to the trade and economic interaction. “For that there are all possibilities,” he said. Thus, Belarus and Syria have created a relevant legal-treaty base, set up joint commissions and Business Cooperation Council. Over 300 Syrian students attend Belarusian uniervsities. For the past year Belarus and Syrian R&D concluded seven agreements on research.

The head of the Belarusian government said that this visit of the Syrian delegation will be very fruitful and will lay the foundation for the future visit of the President of Syria to Belarus that is expected to take place in spring next year.

In turn, Prime Minister of Syria Naji Ottri noted that the Syrian side values highly Belarus’ achievements on the way of strengthening the independence, social and economic development and its readiness to expand cooperation with Syria. He expressed the confidence that the bilateral cooperation will be expanding.

Mohammad Naji Ottri remarked, Syria totally shares Belarus’ intention to expand its presence on the Syrian market through setting up joint ventures, investments in tractor construction and other areas. “Petrochemistry, transport and other areas of cooperation make the bridge, which connects the economies of our countries,” he underscored.

Following the talks Sergei Sidorsky and Naji Ottri signed a joint protocol. The Ministry of Sport and Tourism of Belarus and the Sports Federation of Syria signed a cooperation programme in physical culture and sport between for 2009-2010. The Belarusian News Agency BelTA and the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA concluded a memorandum of understanding on the information exchange. The National Libraries of Belarus and Syria also inked a memorandum of understanding.

Belarus and Syria have agreed on mutual supplies of diesel fuel and phosphate raw materials, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky told the press after meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Ottri.

Sergei Sidorsky explained, the supplies will be done on a compensatory basis. Belarus will re-direct some of exported diesel fuel from other countries to Syria while Syria will provide Belarus with phosphate raw materials.

The Belarusian head of government underscored, “Our economies compliment each other. We seek new niches able to expand the trade turnover of the two countries”.

In turn, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Ottri remarked, the implementation of the project will allow establishing exchange of the commodities the two countries need. “Syria needs diesel fuel from Belarus while Belarus needs Syrian phosphate raw materials,” he said. Ministers of corresponding government agencies of Belarus and Syria are expected to discuss technical issues and sign a relevant agreement on November 28.

Belarus and Syria also intend to carry out compensatory supplies of other commodities. In particular, Belarus intends to supply hot-rolled pipes made by Belarusian Steel Works. Belarus is interested in compensatory supplies of aluminium and cotton from Syria.

Belarus and Syria are discussing the possibility of Belarusian companies’ taking part in exploring gas and oil deposits.

“We have discussed cooperation in petrochemical industry, including possible participation of Belarusian companies in exploring gas and oil together with Syria,” Prime Minister of Belarus said.

According to the Belarusian head of government, the parties also considered several specific projects regarding supplies of automobile engineering products. Matters concerning supplies of BelAZ trucks with the payload capacity of 42-55 tonnes were discussed. The vehicles are now in demand in phosphate mining operations in Syria, he said. The Prime Minister invited the head of the Syrian delegation to visit BelAZ the next day. The parties also intend to expand cooperation in supplies of MAZ automobiles and passenger buses. Syria is implementing a project for building up the automobile fleet and Belarus was invited to participate in it. “We are thankful for the proposal,” underscored Sergei Sidorsky.

There are plans to expand cooperation in supplies of Belarusian tractors to Syria. “Undoubtedly, it is an interesting area not only because of trade but also cooperation with major Syrian company Al Frat. A proposal for supplying Minsk engines for Syrian tractors was made and we will consider it,” said the Prime Minister.

He also noted, Syria had made an interesting proposal for setting up pharmaceutical production facilities in Belarus. “We will consider the proposal with interest and will earmark it for implementation,” added Sergei Sidorsky.

Apart from that, there are plans to expand cooperation in culture and sports. In particular, Belarus is ready to provide its education and training facilities for training Syrian sportsmen for the future Olympic Games.

Belarus and Syria intend to open a direct flight between Minsk and Damascus.

“We have expressed our interest in introducing a flight between Minsk and Damascus,” Sergei Sidorsky said. According to him, the sides will consider the possibility to lend Syria one of the Belarusian airliners. It is likely to be Tu-134 which will be operated by the Syrian side, the Belarusian Prime Minister said.

An agreement on free trade between Belarus and Syria will be prepared within the next two months, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky said. A relevant instruction has been given to the governments of Belarus and Syria.

In turn, Prime Minister of Syria Naji Ottri noted that the economy of Belarus and Syria will not be affected by the global financial crisis.

He underlined that the foundation under the economies of the two countries is very stable and is not affected by the crisis that has recently hit the global financial system. The two countries are intent on using the potential they possess to the full extent. “We have large reserves which we can involve and use in order to feel free of the crisis,” Mohammad Naji Ottri said.

According to him, Belarus and Syria have much in common in the foreign policy, too. Despite the external pressure exerted by the leading states, the two countries demonstrate tenacity and remain committed to the policy that serves the interests of their people.