Alexander Lukashenko to meet with Deputy Prime Minsiter of Azerbaijan

MINSK, 23 October (BelTA) – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko is set to meet with Yagub Eyubov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on 23 October, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service.

In 2008, Azerbaijan ranked sixth in Belarus’ foreign trade. In 2008, Belarus-Azerbaijan trade totaled $117.7 million, 25.9% up on 2007. Belarus exported $105.4 million worth of commodities to Azerbaijan (up 22%) and imported $6.2 million worth of commodities (90.9% up). Belarus had a $99.2mn surplus in trade with Azerbaijan. In 2008 the export of services amounted to $4.4 million (80.9% up), import — $1.6 million (20.4% up). The trade surplus was $2.8 million.

For the past five years, the bilateral trade has increased by 10.7 times. And it surpassed $100 million in 2008. The Belarusian exports to Azerbaijan have surged 12 times over the same period.

In January-August 2009, the bilateral turnover amounted to $71.5 million (up 90.4% as against the same period of last year). Belarus’ export totaled $68.861 million (91.4%), import — $2.6 million (70.1%)

Belarus and Azerbaijan cooperate not only in trade and economy. The two countries have been developing industrial interaction too. Azerbaijan’s companies assemble Belarusian tractors, trucks and optical equipment.