Pakistan eyes enhanced trade and connectivity with Belarus amid investment push

Pakistan Prime Minister Shhebaz Sharif (left) receives Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on November 25, 2024. (APP)

• Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is in Pakistan on three-day visit for investment, trade talks 
• Islamabad is pushing for foreign investment from allies in a bid to shore up $350 billion economy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Privatization and Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan stressed launching direct flights to Belarus and enhancing trade with the eastern European country, state-run media reported this week, as its president arrived in Islamabad for a three-day trip to hold talks on bilateral trade and investment. 
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko arrived in Pakistan on Monday following the arrival of his 68-member delegation, as Islamabad pushes for foreign investment from allies old and new in a bid to shore up its $350 billion economy while navigating a tough reforms agenda mandated by the IMF.
Khan met Belarusian Transport Minister Alexei Lyakhnovich with senior communication in the presence of sector officials from both countries on Monday to discuss the importance of enhancing connectivity through roads and railways, the Associated Press of Pakistan said. 
“Federal Minister for Communications, Privatization and Board of Investment Abdul Aleem Khan on Monday emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing connectivity through the launch of direct flights to Moscow and Belarus, alongside the development of trade corridors linking China, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Belarus,” the APP reported.
The Belarusian transport minister described cross-border trade as “pivotal” for strengthening the economy and promoting bilateral relations, adding it was a significant step toward collaboration between both countries.
The pending construction of different motorways and highways also came under discussion with both sides agreeing to take steps in this regard, APP said.
Emphasizing the communication sector’s importance, Khan said Pakistan wanted a trade corridor to Central Asia along the Karakoram Highway and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor lines to promote business activities.
“We want to further enhance G2G and B2B activities with Belarus in the future for which both the countries will make serious efforts,” Khan said. 
“Like Azerbaijan and Turkiye, we also want to make Belarus an investment partner with our country as Pakistan is rich in natural resources and blessings of Allah Almighty while positive results can be achieved with our skilled workforce.”
On Tuesday, Lukashenko arrived at the Prime Minister House where he was welcomed by PM Shehbaz Sharif and presented with a guard of honor. 
Pakistan and Belarus, the world’s 74th-largest economy by GDP, celebrated thirty years of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Belarus after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and maintained an embassy in Minsk.
The prime minister of Belarus was in Islamabad earlier this year where he met his counterpart as well as the chief of the Pakistan army, among other key leaders.
In September, Pakistan and Belarus discussed different options for a joint venture to establish a tractor plant in the country and reached a consensus on collaborating on a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine to protect cattle, as well as on the capacity building of agricultural engineers in machinery design.
They also agreed to enhance cooperation in the sectors of livestock and seeds and work together on the mechanization of agriculture and on increasing market access for agricultural and livestock products. Belarus also wants to set up a veterinary medicine plant in Pakistan.
The First Pakistan-Belarus Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was held in 2015 in which the two countries agreed to initiate joint ventures in the textile, pharmaceutical and lighting solution industries and share technological expertise.
In recent months, there has been a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian states, including meetings with leaders from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.