Belarus, Turkey discuss cooperation in oil, gas processing

The Belarusian side suggested that Turkish businessmen could cooperate in gas and oil processing together with the Russian Federation. The statement was made at the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Prokopovich and the representatives of the Turkish business on 26 November, BelTA has learned.

Piotr Prokopovich remarked that the Belarusian side is ready to cooperate with Turkish businessmen in various industries, namely the manufacturing sector, production of food and consumer goods, the high-tech sector. “Gas and oil flows go through our country. Together with our Russian colleagues we can turn them into the manufacture of high-tech chemical products which are currently imported in huge amounts to the Customs Union from other countries,” the vice premier stressed.

The deputy prime minister believes that Belarus and Turkey should double their share in the import of countries of the future Eurasian Economic Union. The two sides are eager to join efforts to promote their goods, services and ideas on external markets, and to set up joint ventures. For example, Belarus could open joint machine- and tractor-building enterprises in Turkey. Turkish businessmen, in turn, could set up ventures specializing in other areas in Belarus, Piotr Prokopovich said. In two-three years the bilateral trade between Belarus and Turkey can reach at least $1 billion, the vice premier is convinced. “I think this is a minimal figure. We can get even better results in the future,” he said.

According to Piotr Prokopovich, a good political platform is useful for the robust economic growth. “There are no problems in our bilateral relations,” he remarked. It is important that Belarus and Turkey have ambitious objectives to ramp up economic progress.

The Turkish business delegation which pays a visit to Belarus includes specialists in transport, logistics, maritime and river transportation, communications, production of consumer goods, etc. Chairman of the Board of the biggest holding company Kibar Holding Ali Kibar told reporters that the delegation is especially interested in such areas as construction, oil and gas industry, automobile manufacture. The delegation also takes into account that the Belarusian market will soon become part of the common market of the Eurasian Economic Union.

The Belarusian-Turkish trade has doubled in recent years. In 2009 it made up $266 million, in 2013 the trade turnover reached $580 million. Belarus exports plain steel, synthetic fibers, linen fabrics to Turkey and imports fruit and vegetables, textiles and soap.