During his working visit to Oman, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met with the President of the Omani Investment Authority, Abdelsalam Mohammed Al-Murshidi. The parties analysed the full range of joint Belarusian-Omani projects, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"We have plenty to discuss. We have been working together for a long time and have developed many interesting joint Belarusian-Omani projects. It is probably time to systematise them and decide on our future course of action. However, I am satisfied with your recent statement, I remember it. You told me: 'Mr. President, within the next year or two, you will see real progress on the specific projects that we have outlined together'," said the Head of State.
Key topics discussed at the meeting included the establishment of a joint Belarusian-Omani investment fund in Minsk to finance projects in Belarus; the construction of a pulp and paper mill in Belarus; the organisation of a logistics hub in Oman for the supply of Belarusian goods to neighbouring countries and regions, and the development of the "North-South" transport corridor; investments in agricultural projects in Belarus for the subsequent export of food products to Oman and countries in the region, as well as the supply of Omani seafood to Belarus.
The development of a tourism cluster in Oman and investment by the Omani side in tourist facilities in Belarus were also discussed.
Another topic was the prospects for implementing a trilateral project between Belarus, Oman, and Algeria for the production of complex fertilisers.
Alexander Lukashenko also noted that there are opportunities for developing cooperation with Oman in areas of interest to the country, such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals. In the humanitarian sphere, education is also a potential area.
"We are completely open to you in these areas and are capable of delivering results," said the President.
The President was shown a detailed presentation on the progress of the Belarus-Oman cooperation roadmap, including specific details on projects and timelines.
In attendance at the meeting were also Abdalla Al-Rashdi, CEO of Oman Food Capital Holding (a subsidiary of the Omani Investment Authority focused on agriculture and food investments), and Ali Al-Farsi, a representative of the agency overseeing cooperation with Belarus.
"It is very pleasing that following my visit to Algeria and negotiations with the President of Algeria… By the way, a very thorough, intelligent, and experienced person. I liked him very much. Absolutely down-to-earth. So, after this visit, some additional projects have emerged, which we agreed to discuss with you. These are tripartite projects," said the Head of State. "During this time, after returning from Algeria and our conversation, we have tried to systematise what we agreed upon earlier. That is, these specific projects. These are about 7-8 specific areas."
The President assured that Belarus is ready to develop cooperation with Oman in other areas as well and sees serious interest in this from their Omani friends. "And especially from your leader (we are fortunate in this regard) – a good friend of the Belarusian people, the Sultan of Oman, who was in Belarus not long ago," said Alexander Lukashenko.
"We have determined our cooperation strategy. The doors are open. We need to delve deeper into these projects, as we agreed with you," stated the President.
On the Joint Investment Fund
Alexander Lukashenko noted that the parties had agreed to establish a joint Belarusian-Omani investment fund in Minsk, which will finance projects in Belarus.
"Such a flagship, as we say, an anchor project is the construction of a pulp and paper mill in Belarus. We have the experience and competencies. Our wood processing industry is highly developed," said the President.
He expressed confidence that there should be no major problems with this project. Pre-investment and design work are currently underway, and the site has been identified.
On a Hub in Oman for Trading Belarusian Products
"You have probably already become convinced that we have learned to produce in Belarus practically everything that is needed in this region - the far-arc region, as we define it in foreign policy. But I honestly admitted that we are significantly worse than our Omani colleagues at trading. Especially since you have huge opportunities in this region," the President said. "Especially in the Eastern Africa region. You happen to have very good relations with those African states where our positions are not so strong."
Alexander Lukashenko noted that in this regard, a decision has been made, and the Omani side has provided support for the creation of a Belarusian hub in Oman - a transshipment center for goods. They will be supplied both to the Middle East region and a number of others, including Southeast Asia and Myanmar, where the President of Belarus also recently paid an official visit, and ending with the countries of Africa.
"There are already certain developments in this direction. And not just certain ones, but we have probably covered half the way. We are already supplying some goods here for further re-export to the markets that I have just outlined," the Belarusian leader noted.
On cooperation in the agro-industrial complex and food supplies
Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that in the near future, interest in this topic, especially in the region where Oman is located, will only grow. Food products, he is confident, will be in increasing demand.
"This is something we can easily trade. And today, we are not just exchanging agricultural products. That is, what you have and what we need - you supply us; what we can supply and what you need - we supply you, in particular, dairy and meat products. We agreed that, having tried all this, you are ready to expand cooperation. Therefore, the exchange of goods is already underway. But this is a very serious topic for us. And we are grateful to you for supporting us," the head of state stated.
Alexander Lukashenko also noted the need to expand production volumes and work directly. "We are ready for you to work directly with our agricultural enterprises and processing plants in Belarus for the processing and supply of food products here (to Oman. - Ed. BELTA)," he said.
On the Belarusian oasis in Oman
The President stated that a very important area is the development of Oman as a tourist destination for Belarusian citizens.
"You know that we are a northern country. Many Belarusians travel the world in search of a better holiday spot. We would very much like to have our own Belarusian tourist cluster here, not far from the airport, so that our people can diversify their tourist trips," the President said. "I am very grateful to you and my friend the Sultan for allocating a huge plot of land for us in an exotic location, untypical for Oman. Where there are almost no sands and mountains, but there is a real oasis, with a comfortable air temperature for our people. We would like to build together with you and our investors, who will be interested in this, a tourist hub where our people will go."
Alexander Lukashenko noted that the parties have already made progress in this direction. Direct flights from Belarus to Oman have recently been launched.
"We are ready to expand travel opportunities for our people here. Not only to the Emirates, other countries, but also to Oman. The nature here is fabulous, the ocean is open. I am confident that our people will gladly take advantage of this tourist destination," the head of state stated.
A "three-way" project for the production of complex fertilizers
Alexander Lukashenko said that during his official visits and negotiations, particularly in Algeria, many areas of joint work have emerged. One of them is the production of complex NPK fertilizers. These are compound mineral fertilizers containing three main macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
"Our Algerian friends are very interested in this. As you know, Algeria has huge gas reserves. This means we will have the opportunity to produce nitrogen fertilizers. We know how to do this; we have a large plant in Grodno," the head of state noted. "As the President of Algeria told me, in the near future they will be able to produce 10.5 million tons of phosphates. This is a line for the production of phosphate fertilizers. We have a corresponding company, a huge plant, that produces similar fertilizers. We know how to do this. In addition to nitrogen fertilizers, we produce phosphate fertilizers."
Finally, Alexander Lukashenko continued, Belarus is one of the main producers of potash fertilizers.
"To mix these three types of fertilizers in one granule is what the market needs today. We also know how to do it. Why not create an enterprise in which we can invest together with you and Algeria, if it is in Algeria," the head of state proposed.
The President emphasized that without ensuring fertilizers, there can be no talk of food security in the countries of Africa and the Global South. "The demand for mineral fertilizers is growing and will continue to grow in the world. Because food is needed," he said.