Belarus, Laos set up intergovernmental commission for bilateral cooperation

MINSK, 4 June (BelTA) – Belarus and Laos are setting up a joint intergovernmental commission for bilateral cooperation, BelTA has learnt.

On 4 June the Foreign Ministry of Belarus played host to the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding on the establishment a joint commission for bilateral cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The document was signed by Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei and Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.

The document was signed during the official visit of the Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos to the Republic of Belarus.

The diplomatic relations between Belarus and Laos were established in 1994. The development of the legal framework of the bilateral relations is underway.

In 2012 the trade between Belarus and Laos totaled $11.1 million, Belarus’ exports made up $11 million, imports from Laos reached $92,900.

In January-March 2013 the trade between Belarus and Laos totaled almost $190,000.

Laos imports industrial products and consumer goods, which creates good prospects for the Belarusian export, first of all, of agricultural, automobile and quarry equipment, diesel generators and pumps, tires, foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages. OAO MAZ conducts negotiations with a Lao company on the supplies of Belarusian vehicles and component parts. The two countries are mulling over a number of promising areas to develop cooperation in trade, economic, sci-tech and humanitarian areas. The parties also think over setting up a joint company in Laos to produce baby food from the Belarusian raw material, registration and supplies of pharmaceutical products to Laos as well as direct supplies of tractor equipment, under leasing schemes.