A delegation from the Republic of Belarus led by H.E. Mr. Dmitry Korchik, Deputy Minister of the Republic of Belarus along with H.E. Mr. Andrei Ermolovich, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus called on Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Mr. Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan here in Islamabad today. The meeting focused on export of Belarusian tractors and other agricultural machinery to Pakistan and transfer of technology for progressive manufacturing of this machinery in Pakistan. Pakistan-Belarus bilateral relations have good future prospects in terms of promotion of trade of agro-commodities, export of dairy products, meat and getting benefits from each other’s expertise in agricultural research & development and tractor manufacturing industry. A MoU between Pakistan and Belarus on Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture has been signed. Furthermore, three MoUs have already been signed by PARC, DPP and Livestock Wing with their respective counterpart. According to which both parties may cooperate in the following areas: a) Plant production; b) Animal husbandry; c) Mechanization of agricultural works; d) Seed production; e) Technology in agriculture; f) Land improvement, land use planning and studies on soil; g) Scientific and research activity in the field of agriculture; and h) Phytosanitary and veterinary control Pakistan’s imports from Belarus stood at $45.13 million in 2017-18 which mainly consisted of Agricultural tractors (62.04%). The fourth JWG meeting was held on November, 2017 in Islamabad and the next meeting is scheduled to be held in Minsk this year. Federal Minister said that farm mechanization is an important ingredient of the strategy to accelerate the growth rate in agriculture sector. The agriculture sector is the backbone of the economy, contributing 18.9% to the GDP in 2017-18. He further said that we welcome foreign investment in Pakistan and it is a vision of the Prime Minister Imran Khan to encourage the foreign investment in the country. The Federal Minister said that we are moving towards achieving the maximum agricultural output through mechanization. We need harvesters, tractors and other agro implements. The Minister added that we are asking/encouraging private sector to come up and go ahead in joint ventures with potential foreign investors especially in the field of agriculture. The Deputy Minister Mr. Dmitry Korchik said that agriculture is a big part of Pak economy and same is true for Belarus, Belarusian tractors are very famous in Pakistan. He said we want to broaden our agro machinery partnership in Pakistan and Belarus has developed advanced harvester(s) and other remarkable agro machinery. The harvesters are exported to 30 countries worldwide and Pakistan is also a potential market for “un-manned” harvester. The Deputy Minister Mr. Dmitry said before the next meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) in second half of 2019, both the countries must hold bilateral talk on agriculture especially areas relating to Joint Ventures. (Continued Belarus is willing to support the joint production of the same tractor in Pakistan along with other agricultural machinery. He said that Belarus needs support to find reliable new partners for Belarusian tractors in Pakistan. Federal Minister Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan said that the proposal of joint production of agricultural machinery is quite appealing and it could be exported to neighbor countries from Pakistan, this will also provide increased employment opportunities for local population. Federal Minister for National Food Security said the extended cooperation in the field of agriculture would allow the transfer of new technology besides creating a competitive environment in tractor and agricultural machinery industry for the benefit of farmers. The Minister also said both countries must take actions for earlier implementation of the agreed decisions of fourth session of Pakistan- Belarus Joint Working Group. It is pertinent to mention that in fourth session of JWG on Agriculture both the parties agreed on cooperation in the field of farm mechanization particularly the development of agricultural machinery, equipment and implements and while acknowledging the strength of Belarusian side in agriculture mechanization, especially in tractor manufacturing, the Pakistan side emphasized its interest for establishing joint ventures between the two countries for manufacturing of different types of agriculture machinery, equipment and implements. The Belarusian side agreed to facilitate arrangements between the business entities of both countries for the purpose. ***** ?
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