OREANDA-NEWS. August 12, 2011. Belarus is interested in stepping up and accelerating the implementation of Belarusian-Indian projects, said Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich as he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus Manoj Kumar Bharti.

“I think the multiple projects and intentions that have been shaped already will be developed in a practical sense in the next few years because we have advanced far and the intentions are ambitious,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich. The Premier said that most of the joint projects are still under consideration. Plans to set up joint assembly enterprises are some of them. “I think joint assembly projects are the simplest thing we need to beef up the industrial policy on the bilateral basis,” said the head of Government.

Mikhail Myasnikovich added that the Belarusian Government would do their best for the successful implementation of Belarusian-Indian projects. “We will create comfortable conditions so that the enterprises to assemble the machines you will determine could be successfully implemented in India,” he said.

The Prime Minister also said that it was necessary to step up Belarusian-Indian cooperation in scientific and technical and military technology areas. “We have signed several protocols on dual-use technologies, but they have not been implemented, including the project to set up a relevant R&D center in Belarus as was agreed back in 2009,” he reminded.

The head of Government was confident that the two countries would succeed by developing partnership in pharmaceutics. “We invite you to come to the Belarusian market taking into account that it is a market of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. It can be done as a foreign-owned company,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich. The Prime Minister believes that the combined market of 170 million people is very promising because it is constantly expanding and developing. “We could work together to set up several enterprises to make medications in Belarus,” suggested the Prime Minister. “Those could be successful and preferential terms would be granted for the operation of the industry”.

The Belarusian head of Government also asked the Indian side to remove Belarus from the list of non-market economy countries. “Belarus was put into the list of non-market economy countries via a special law in India in 2001. I would like you to revisit the issue. We run into certain problems because as a country listed as a non-market economy we are subject to antidumping investigations”. The head of Government stressed that these are key matters, which should be resolved for the sake of advancing Belarusian-Indian relations.

In turn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus Manoj Kumar Bharti said that indian companies are ready to invest in the Belarusian pharmaceutical industry.

According to the ambassador, cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry is the most promising cooperation avenue for Belarus and India. He welcomed Belarus’ efforts to liberalize the investment climate, including in the abovementioned field. “I support direct contacts with the Health Ministry and pharmaceutical producers of Belarus and I hope that we will soon receive a list of companies willing to set up joint ventures or raise investments,” Manoj Kumar Bharti said.

He added that Indian companies are willing to channel investments into Belarus’ pharmaceutical production. “India has big companies that are ready to come and invest in Belarus. The relevant negotiations have made much progress. I hope to see the results soon,” the diplomat said.

Manoj Kumar Bharti also said that India is interested in acquiring a stake in Belaruskali.

“As we have already made it clear through government channels, India is interested in buying shares of Belaruskali if they are offered for sale. We are looking forward to a decision by the Belarusian government and Belaruskali,” the Ambassador said.

Manoj Kumar Bharti also said that India concluded a lucrative contract to purchase potash fertilizers from Belarus.

India is Belarus’ traditional trading partner in Asia. In 2007, the two leaders set out the strategic objective to increase bilateral trade to USD 500 million by 2010. The target was achieved in 2009.

In January-May this year Belarusian exports to India amounted to USD 23.4 million. In the five months of 2011 export, excluding potassium fertilizers, made up 83.2% of the export in the same period of 2010. Belarus had a deficit of USD 42.1 million in trade with India. The deficit is traditional for the first half. The trade with India is expected to switch into a surplus for Belarus in the third quarter. Belarus' main exports to India are potash fertilizers. In January-May the shipments totaled USD 9.1 million, or 38.7% of Belarus’ total exports. Belarus imports from India drugs and pharmaceutical products, tobacco, tea, fish products, spices, nuts, etc.

BelAZ, MTZ, Amkodor, Belshina, Belarusian Steel Works, Integral and other Belarusian producers have been active on the Indian market.