Islamabad, May 29 (IANS) Pakistan and Belarus on Friday agreed to boost bilateral trade and investment and enhance cooperation in a number of other areas.
The two countries signed a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements here to boost cooperation in various fields, officials said.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is on a two-day visit, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif witnessed the signing of the agreements in science and technology, investment, agriculture, industries, education, media, culture and law and justice, Xinhua news agency reported.
One of the MoUs envisages the establishment of a consultation mechanism between the foreign ministries and another agreement sees the creation of a joint business council.
At a joint press conference, Prime Minister Sharif described his talks with the Belarusian president as very productive, saying they agreed to enhance cooperation in all fields, including trade, industry, agriculture, investment, culture, education and people-to-people to contacts.
“We also discussed regional and international issues and agreed to work together for shared objective of peace and prosperity. The two countries agreed to continue cooperation at international organisations,” he said.
Lukashenko invited Pakistani businessmen and investors to visit Belarus.
“My country is interested in joint ventures in different areas with the Pakistani side for bringing the two countries closer together. Belarus seeks cooperation from Pakistan in the industrial and textile sector as Pakistan has the required textile raw material,” said the president.
This is the first ever visit by a Belarusian president to Pakistan.