Lukashenko proposes Equatorial Guinea to establish a joint production base

Belarus proposes to Equatorial Guinea the establishment of a joint production base for accessing the markets of neighbouring African states. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora of Equatorial Guinea, Simeon Oyono Esono Angue, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

"I have already told the President of Equatorial Guinea and wish to reiterate that Belarus possesses all the technologies to elevate your country to a higher level. You are also very interested in this. The essence of our proposals is (and I also mentioned this during your President's visit) that we are ready not only to sell you the products you need, not only to transfer technologies to you, but we are ready to train your people to work with these technologies. And it would be beneficial (this is the second direction) if we could establish a production base in Equatorial Guinea that could operate at least for neighbouring countries," the President noted.

Alexander Lukashenko expects that the current visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora of Equatorial Guinea will become a key stage in the preparation for a future meeting of the two leaders.

Simeon Oyono Esono Angue, in turn, thanked the Belarusian leader for the meeting and conveyed a message from the President of Equatorial Guinea.

As reported, at the beginning of September, Belarus was visited by the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, on an official visit. The visit programme was very intensive and included official negotiations with Alexander Lukashenko at the Palace of Independence, the signing of bilateral documents, visits to enterprises, and familiarisation with the capabilities of Belarusian manufacturers.

The President of Belarus also plans to pay a return visit to Equatorial Guinea.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora of Equatorial Guinea arrived in Belarus at the head of a large delegation. The delegation included ministers of agriculture, livestock and rural development; health and social security; forests and environment; social housing and urban planning; deputy ministers of trade, industry and business development; culture, tourism and crafts development; finance and budget.

On 18-19 October, the governments of Belarus and Equatorial Guinea held the first meeting of the joint permanent commission on trade and economic cooperation in Minsk. Concurrently, the interstate procedure for the framework cooperation agreement to enter into force was completed.

The parties consider agriculture and food security (supply of machinery, equipment and food products, agricultural technologies, fertilizers, professional training of personnel), information technology, healthcare, education, tourism, construction, development of the service sector, small and medium-sized businesses, and the creation of production facilities in the woodworking industry as priority areas of cooperation.

Belarus views Equatorial Guinea as a gateway to West and Central Africa. The issue of establishing a production and logistics hub for Belarusian products there is being worked out, which will also be used for supplying goods to neighbouring countries.

Source: belta.by