Belarus and Turkmenistan intend to increase trade. This issue was high on the agenda of a meeting between Belarus’ Trade Minister Valentin Chekanov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Belarus Murad Yazberdiev in Minsk, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Trade Ministry.

According to Valentin Chekanov, the joint trading houses in Belarus and Turkmenistan are expected to boost their activities. The participants of the meeting discussed the steps that will help expand their capabilities in terms of mutual promotion of goods on the markets of the two countries.

Another way to increase trade between Belarus and Turkmenistan, according to the minister, is encouraging businessmen of the two countries to establish direct contacts, and also making a greater use of exchange trade between the countries.

The meeting participants stressed that relations between the countries are at a high level. The sides are willing to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation. In particular, Valentin Chekanov said: "Belarus attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with Turkmenistan and is ready for any forms of cooperation".

In 2011, the foreign trade between Belarus and Turkmenistan totaled $238.1 million, up 2.6 times from a year earlier. Belarusian export amounted to $230.1 million, up 2.6 times.

As noted by the meeting participants, the current level of trade does not correspond to the economic potential of Belarus and Turkmenistan. The countries have real opportunities to increase it.

Belarus’ major exports to Turkmenistan are tractors, road-building machinery, tillage machines, trucks, lifts, tires, wood products, medications, food (sugar, milk, alcohol, malt, and confectionery).

Belarusian imports from Turkmenistan are cotton yarn, fiber, fabrics, knitted fabric, wool, bed and table linens, polymers of propylene and carbon.

BelTA