Belarus-Azerbaijan trade might reach $800 million this year, Azerbaijan Ambassador to Belarus Isfandiyar Vahabzade told media on 14 September.

The diplomat noted that the trade and economic relations between the two countries have been recently gaining momentum. In Q1 2011 the mutual trade soared 12 times and totaled $430 million. In January-July the trade reached $580 million.

With its strong engineering industry, Belarus is able to supply Azerbaijan with tractors, agricultural equipment, road-building machinery, trucks, their parts, household appliances, products of the chemical industry, fertilizers. Belarus imports Azerbaijan oil, various agricultural produce such as tobacco, cotton, wool, fruit, vegetable, wine and wine stock, cognac spirit, and carpets. Belarus has opened a number of assembling plants in Azerbaijan. According to the diplomat, the ratification of the agreement on mutual protection of investments would make conditions for investors more attractive. On the whole, the countries have so far signed more than 60 interstate, intergovernmental and ministerial agreements.

The Ambassador stressed that apart from the economy the two countries have been developing contacts in other areas of mutual interest. “Culture, sport, education and science, environment and nature protection, cooperation in dealing with emergency situations – these are and many other issues make the basis of the bilateral interstate relations,” he said.

The official also emphasized a high level of the political dialogue between the two states and an active exchange of visits at different levels. Interregional cooperation has been steadily developing as well.

Belta