Supplies of Belarusian products to the African continent must be increased to at least $1 billion in the near future, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karanikevich told the media following a meeting with the president on 30 October.
According to Viktor Karanikevich, every year, a more ambitious target for the supply of Belarusian machinery and goods is set, and for two years in a row we have seen a positive trend - a growth in the export of both goods and services. “This indicates that we must continue our work. We are setting more ambitious tasks. We need to increase supplies to the African continent to at least $1 billion. This objective is set, and everyone is focused on its fulfillment. This needs to be done quickly,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
He clarified that the task is both to consolidate positions in already established markets on the continent (by expanding the product range and increasing supply volumes) and to seek new sales markets for products.
“The African continent is very important and promising. Therefore, it is important now to use the positive experience we already have with countries such as Nigeria and Zimbabwe,” said Viktor Karankevich.
According to him, these countries are being used to implement a comprehensive approach, the essence of which consists of several sequential stages in developing cooperation. First, it involves the supply of machinery along with the establishment of corresponding service centers and personnel training. Subsequently, the partnership transitions to creating joint large-unit assembly (knock-down assembly) of equipment. Another stage is to set up joint processing facilities, primarily for agricultural products, with the goal of strengthening the food security of African partners.
Simultaneously, cooperation is also developing in other areas, such as education and healthcare. “This includes the opportunity for students and specialists from these countries to study at our universities. It also involves healthcare matters, sharing our experience in how healthcare systems operate, and supplying medical equipment and pharmaceuticals,” Viktor Karankevich said.
He is convinced that this comprehensive approach will pave the way for deeper relations and new avenues of mutually beneficial cooperation with African countries in the future.
Viktor Karankevich also did not rule out the possibility of cooperation in the exploration and mining of mineral resources in Africa: “Here, each specific case must be approached individually, provided there is an opportunity and economic feasibility. All these issues are worked on separately. Where such proposals and opportunities exist, we study and consider these matters in detail.”