Tajikistan surpasses China in pace of development - Lukashenko
MINSK. May 15 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has noted a high pace of Tajikistan's development and stated his country's commitment to long-term cooperation with Dushanbe.
"We follow very closely Tajikistan's development. I am particularly pleased by the country's pace of development. I am always glad to note that you surpass the People's Republic of China in the pace of development. It is great," the BELTA news agency cited Lukashenko as saying at negotiations with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe.
The Belarusian president also drew attention to the successful implementation of an intention to hold a business forum in Dushanbe with participation not only of Belarus' and Tajikistan's business circles, but also representatives of other countries of the region, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
"We will pull our neighbors to Tajikistan and show our capacities. We will further advance to other countries, developing our trade and economic relations, together," Lukashenko.
Rahmon, in turn, pointed out that Belarus is one of the key partners of Tajikistan. "We attach great importance to your official visit. I am confident that its outcomes would give a new impetus to our relations of close friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation," he said.
Belarus offered Tajikistan and other countries of the region to cooperate in the agricultural sector and the industry at the business forum taking place in Dushanbe. In particular, Belarus is ready to supply dairy products, other agricultural products to the region and create joint enterprises, such as plants processing dairy, beef, poultry, and then enter markets of other countries using a single brand.
The Belarusian side has also launched cooperation in mechanical engineering, starting from agricultural equipment to heavy duty BelAZ trucks and municipal vehicles.