Lukashenka, Dubai ruler discuss prospects for trade and economic cooperation :: Charter'97 :: News

Alyaksandr Lukashenka held talks with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan, president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, while staying in Abu Dhabi on March 5.

Belarus has specific investment proposals that the republic is ready to submit to the UAE for consideration, Mr. Lukashenko said, according to Belarusian official information sources. "We are ready to do everything so that the Emirates will be able to be actively present in Europe," he was quoted as saying, told BelaPAN.

Sheikh Khalifa reportedly confirmed the UAE`s readiness for cooperation with Belarus. He noted that the long geographic distance between the two countries is no obstacle to the development of fruitful relations.

After his talks with the UAE president, Mr. Lukashenka was expected to travel by helicopter to Dubai where he was scheduled to meet with Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid al-Maktum, the UAE`s vice president, prime minister and defense minister and the ruler of the emirate of Dubai.

On his return to Abu Dhabi, the Belarusian leader was to meet with Crown Prince Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan, who is deputy commander-in-chief of the UAE Armed Forces.

A number of interstate agreement were expected to be signed during Mr. Lukashenka`s March 4-6 state visit to the Emirates.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid al-Maktum, the United Arab Emirates` vice president, prime minister and defense minister and the ruler of the emirate of Dubai, discussed the prospects for the development of ties between Belarus and the emirate at a meeting in Dubai on March 5, official information sources reported.

The Belarusian leader and the Dubai ruler reportedly exchanged opinions about the possibility of expanding cooperation in the trade, economic and investment spheres. Mr. Lukashenko noted that Dubai businesspeople could invest in Belarus` hotel industry and construction projects.

According to Belarus` official information sources, the government intends to organize exports of mining equipment to the UAE. In particular, the Belarusian Automobile Factory (BelAZ) plans to supply eight 55-ton dump trucks to the Emirates in 2007. In addition, the government considers it promising to supply the UAE with high-tech products such as optical instruments and devices, electronic measuring and control equipment, laser and biological technologies.