OREANDA-NEWS. April 04, 2013. The Belarus government intends to expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Turkey. Prime Minister of Belarus Mr Mikhail Myasnikovich made the statement as he met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mr Ahmed Davutoglu.

Mikhail Myasnikovich said: “I believe your visit will truly give an impetus to the development of political and economic contacts”.

He remarked that comfortable conditions for the operation of Turkish companies are being created in Belarus. Additional opportunities for the expansion of Belarus-Turkey cooperation will be opened by the intergovernmental agreements on visa-free travels for individuals and on readmission signed in Minsk.

Mikhail Myasnikovich said these documents were a good present for the citizens of the two countries such as Belarusian tourists, who visit Turkish resorts, and Turkish businessmen and specialists, who work in Belarus.

The Belarus government is positive about economic cooperation and changes in the bilateral trade with Turkey. “We lose to you to a certain extent because your export is higher than ours. But it is related to investment activities, cutting-edge equipment that we buy from you,” added the Prime Minister.

Between 2004 and 2012 Belarus-Turkey trade soared by 7.4 times, with Belarus’ export to Turkey 5.5 times up and Turkey’s export to Belarus 8.5 times up. In 2012 Belarus-Turkey trade amounted to USD 499.4 million (115.3% as against 2011), with export at USD 145.2 million (112.5%) and import at USD 354.2 million (116.4%). The deficit amounted to USD 209 million.

In January 2013 Belarus-Turkey trade totaled \\$51.4 million (148.1% as against January 2012), with Belarus’ export at USD 22.7 million (174.2%) and import at USD 28.7 million (132.5%). Belarusian major exports to Turkey are semi-finished goods made of non-alloyed steel, synthetic fibers, flax fabrics, potash fertilizers, and tires. The top imports from Turkey are agricultural products, textiles, yarn, apparel, automobile industry products.

Investment cooperation demonstrates positive dynamics. In 2012 Turkish investments in the Belarus economy amounted to USD 47.5 million (138.4% as against 2011), with direct investments at USD 43.6 million (132.1%).