MINSK, 20 August (BelTA) - Belarus and Myanmar intend to transform their political dialogue into concrete economic projects, Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin said at the Belarus-Myanmar Business Forum in Minsk on 20 August, BelTA has learned.

“The Belarus-Myanmar Business Forum is clear evidence of the positive momentum in our relations. Belarus and Myanmar have many points of contact. The only thing that separates us is geographical distance. In everything else - in the economy, in our views on global processes, and in our shared aspiration for the prosperity of our peoples - we are the closest partners and like-minded allies. The political will of President Aleksandr Lukashenko and President Min Aung Hlaing sets a high standard for our cooperation. A permanent dialogue at the highest levels has been established,” Aleksandr Turchin said.

The Belarus-Myanmar Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation and a joint working group on agriculture and food cooperation are already functioning. The legal framework continues to expand. Myanmar opened an embassy in Minsk this year, and a Belarusian diplomatic mission in Naypyidaw will begin operating by the end of the year. “Our economies do not compete, they complement each other. As the Belarusian head of state noted, no topics are off-limits in our relations with Myanmar,” the prime minister added.

According to him, the main task at this stage is to turn the achieved level of political dialogue into concrete economic projects, contracts, jobs, and tonnes of shipped products. “The political will is there, and all decisions have been made by our leaders. The package of commercial documents to be signed today on the sidelines of the forum will lay the foundation for building systematic economic ties. Every effort must be made to ensure that all flagship projects are launched as soon as possible, while simultaneously seeking new niches for cooperation and fresh ideas to boost mutual trade. We must also use all available regional integration tools in the interest of our businesses, including the EAEU, SCO, BRICS, and ASEAN platforms. Market boundaries are expanding, and our enterprises must use this effectively,” the head of government stressed.

Aleksandr Turchin invited Myanmar businesses and the country’s representative delegation to Minsk to take part in the international industrial exhibition INNOPROM. Belarus, which will be held from 30 September to 2 October this year. “During this event, we will be able to take stock and discuss the first results of today’s agreements, and if necessary, adjust our strategy. The potential of our economies is enormous, and the mechanisms for cooperation have been created by the state. Now everything depends on your energy and commercial acumen,” he added.

Minsk is hosting the Belarus-Myanmar Business Forum. The Myanmar delegation includes heads and representatives of leading enterprises and financial institutions in such areas as banking and financial services, wholesale and retail trade, logistics, food processing, textiles, construction and mining, and information technology. Myanmar shows particular interest in Belarusian engineering enterprises, especially manufacturers of tractor and agricultural machinery, as well as in the supply of pharmaceutical products and food. Both sides are also interested in cooperation in industrial cooperation, logistics, and textiles. The forum program includes company presentations, the signing of commercial documents, and B2B negotiations. More than 150 representatives of Belarusian enterprises are expected to take part in the B2B session.