OREANDA-NEWS. August 05, 2011. Belarus is ready to take part in the reconstruction of Iraqi infrastructure, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko said as he met with Minister of Industry and Minerals of Iraq Ahmed Al Karboli.

Vladimir Semashko noted that Belarus is willing to join infrastructure reconstruction projects in Iraq, to design and build housing and energy installations. He added that the Belarusian government is absolutely aware of the challenges facing the Iraqi authorities. “We are ready to help the government of Iraq to restore the country fast and facilitate the social and economic development,” he said.

Belarus is interested in cooperation with Iraq in petrochemical projects, Vladimir Semashko said.

“We are ready to participate in petrochemical projects in your country. We have gained the experience of such work in Venezuela,” said the first deputy prime minister.

In general, Belarus is ready to cooperate with Iraq in different fields ranging from simple forms - the supply of equipment (construction, agricultural, municipal and other) to more complex forms – setting up joint ventures to produce appliances with a high degree of localization.

Belarus is also ready to assist Iraq with food supply.

Vladimir Semashko noted that Belarus is ready to discuss various proposals for cooperation with Iraq. “We are ready to cooperate in any area,” concluded Belarus’ First Vice-Premier Vladimir Semashko.

Minister of Industry and Minerals of Iraq Ahmed Al Karboli noted that the countries have developed friendly relations. The Minister expressed confidence that the expansion of economic cooperation between Belarus and Iraq will become the foundation for deepening political cooperation.

Ahmed Al Karboli added that Iraq went through difficult times; now the country has to reconstruct the destroyed infrastructure. “We would like Belarusian companies, be it state-run or private ones, to take part in reconstruction projects,” he said. The minister believes that the ongoing visit of the Iraqi delegation to Belarus will encourage other ministries to follow suit.

“The Ministry of Industry and Minerals of Iraq views Belarusian counterparts as strategic partners,” Ahmed Al Karboli emphasized. He added that the signing of contracts between ministries and companies of the two countries was put on hold due to the lack of information. Ahmed Al Karboli is convinced that all these issues will be removed and the countries will sign many cooperation documents.

Iraq invites Belarus to take part in joint projects to repair Belarus-made quarry machines, set up production of firebricks, glass and ceramics and share innovation technologies.

Belarus and Iraq are discussing the possibility of setting up an enterprise in Iraq to assemble Belarusian tractors, Ahmed Al Karboli said.

The Minister said preliminary agreements had been reached to set up a tractor assembly enterprise in Iraq in the future. In his words, Belarusian and Iraqi experts will discuss conditions and prospects of cooperation within the framework of the project.

Ahmed al-Karboli added that the Iraqi delegation had visited Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ) that day and had got familiar with how Belarusian tractors are made. It is the first step on the way of cooperation, he said.

The Minister said he hopes the present visit would be an example for other ministries of Iraq to follow.

Ahmed al-Karboli also said that the Belarusian and Iraqi sides had agreed to step up the performance of the commission for trade and economic cooperation.