Belarus and South Africa intend to greatly increase the bilateral trade volume. It was confirmed by Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Valentin Rybakov and Deputy Trade and Industry Minister of South Africa Elizabeth Thabethe in Minsk on 21 November at the session of the Belarus-South Africa committee for trade and economic cooperation, BelTA has learned.

Valentin Rybakov remarked that plans to advance cooperation between the two countries were sketched out during the session.

On 21 November the sides discussed concrete matters regarding the implementation of projects, including the organization of assembly enterprises and ways to bolster the bilateral trade.

Valentin Rybakov said that South Africa had stated the intention to advance the bilateral relations to a strategic level. “We confirm that we will do our best to make these plans come to fruition,” said the official. The Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister said he hopes the visit of the South Africa delegation to Belarus would give an incentive to the expansion of bilateral cooperation.

In turn, Elizabeth Thabethe confirmed the intention of South Africa to bolster cooperation in the areas outlined during the session of the committee. In particular, the sides discussed the development of infrastructure, the processing of agricultural products, cooperation in education as the key area of exchange between the two countries, and the development of vocational training. These areas are stipulated by the joint protocol signed after the session of the committee.

The visit of the South Africa delegation will continue the next day. Elizabeth Thabethe is expected to get familiar with Belarus’ industrial potential and the agricultural one.


 

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