MINSK, 24 September (BelTA) – Belarus and Pakistan need to boost their economic ties, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a meeting with Chairman of Pakistan’s Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in Minsk on 24 September, BelTA has learned.
The head of state noted that good relations had been established between the leaderships of the two countries. “This gives hope that we will achieve much more. Although we are already performing quite well, the current level of our political and parliamentary interaction clearly lags behind the economic potential between Belarus and Pakistan,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, an agreement was reached to significantly boost economic ties in the near future, especially this year and next. “Shehbaz is deeply invested in our relations. But, to be frank with you, I would like us to do everything on time,” the head of state emphasized.
“A very important issue is establishing normal financial exchange and normal financial relations between our states. I believe this is within your power today, considering above all the role you play in the world – especially in connection with what you are doing to resolve the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz,” the president said.
The head of state expressed confidence that building a normal payment infrastructure between the states would significantly boost trade and economic cooperation, which is currently experiencing a slight downturn.
“Recently, our bilateral trade has started to slow down. To a large extent, this depends on the payment infrastructure currently in place. There are no problems or delays on our side [regarding payment clearance]. I believe and hope that following your visit to Belarus, these issues will be resolved on the Pakistani side as well,” the Belarusian leader said.
