The Minsk oblast and the state of Niger (Federal Republic of Nigeria) intend to intensify cooperation. The avenues of the cooperation were discussed at a meeting of the leadership of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee and a Nigerian delegation in Minsk on 5 November.

According to Deputy Chairman of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee Alexander Ermak, the trade between the Minsk oblast and Nigeria is not so big. In January-September 2009, it reached $2 million. The Minsk oblast mainly exported printed goods. In turn, Belarus imported ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaf and others. “I believe that the trade could be much more despite the long distance. We are interested in increasing the supplies of spices. For instance, the meat processing plants of the Minsk oblast import spices at the amount of $150,000 including the Nigerian spices at the amount of $1,800 only. We would like to export meat and dairy products to Nigeria (dried fat-free milk, butter, canned foods),” Alexander Ermak said.

In turn, Abubakar Zakari, director of the state supplies department of the Niger state, expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation in various areas. “We would like to sign a cooperation agreement with the Minsk oblast,” he said.

Representatives of Nigeria have shown an interest in purchasing the Belarus-produced dried milk and other agricultural products, strengthening the ties in the agricultural industry and educational area.

The Nigerian delegation is in Belarus on a visit (4-16 November). The guests will visit a cheese-making plant, a meat-processing factory, a technical college, the Slutsk agricultural college, the Logoisky agricultural company, the Minsk Football Manege, the Minsk Tractor Works, the Minsk Automobile Plant, Amkodor. The Nigerian delegation will meet with representatives of Belaruskalii, the Belarusian Education Ministry, the Asia and Africa department of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

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