ISLAMABAD: Amidst a gathering of esteemed businessmen at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Ambassador Andrei Metelitsa of Belarus underscored the burgeoning potential of bilateral trade between Belarus and Pakistan. Emphasizing the current annual trade turnover of $60 million as a starting point, Ambassador Metelitsa elucidated on the vast untapped possibilities for economic collaboration between the two nations.
Pointing to the historical backdrop of three decades of diplomatic, economic, and trade ties, Ambassador Metelitsa highlighted the strategic significance of fostering deeper economic relations between Belarus and Pakistan. He outlined key sectors of trade, including high-value engineering goods such as tractors and trucks from Belarus, and exports from Pakistan ranging from textiles to agricultural products.
In response to inquiries about formal trade agreements, Ambassador Metelitsa hinted at the potential for future negotiations on Free Trade Agreements or Preferential Trade Agreements, signaling optimism for enhanced trade facilitation mechanisms. He further showcased Belarus’s robust industrial sector, spanning diverse fields from automotive to pharmaceuticals, and expressed eagerness for President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s upcoming visit to Pakistan to catalyze bilateral economic engagements.
Recognizing the pivotal role of chambers of commerce in promoting bilateral trade, Ambassador Metelitsa extended an offer of cooperation between the Embassy of Belarus and the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce to facilitate business matchmaking initiatives. President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari echoed the sentiments, affirming the inevitability of a free trade agreement between Belarus and Pakistan and advocating for reciprocal trade delegations to explore new avenues of collaboration.
Secretary General of United Business Group, Zafar Bakhtawari, and Chairman Founder Group, Khalid Iqbal Malik, joined the discourse, emphasizing the need for private sector engagement to unlock the full potential of Belarus-Pakistan trade relations. The gathering concluded with a collective call to action, urging concerted efforts to strengthen economic ties between Belarus and Pakistan for mutual prosperity.
