Tehran, Minsk Well-Positioned to Increase Economic Cooperation

Iran-Belarus cooperation holds great potential and the two countries can significantly increase trade, Belarusian Industry Minister Aleksandr Rogozhnik said during a meeting with Iranian Industries Minister Reza Fatemi-Amin on March 12, BelTA learned from the press service of the Industries Ministry.
Rogozhnik positively assessed the implementation of the agreements reached during the 15th meeting of the Belarusian-Iranian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, noting that the meeting and the further exchange of visits gave a boost to bilateral contacts. This is evidenced by a threefold increase in trade in 2022.
The minister noted that the two sides are discussing new deliveries of quarry equipment, cargo and passenger vehicles to Iran and are working on a license agreement to assemble tractors in Iran.
The Belarusian minister suggested holding another meeting of the intergovernmental commission in 2023 in Iran to promote dialogue between the industry ministries of the two countries.
Belarus’s timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry (locally known as Bellesbumprom) increased exports to Iran by 2.3 times in 2022.
Companies affiliated with Bellesbumprom continue redirecting exports to other markets and increasing their foothold in traditional markets. For example, exports to Iran rose by 2.3 times in 2022. Positive dynamics was registered in January of this year. The growth rate was 34% over January 2022. Major export items were pulp, paper, cardboard and timber.
Bellesbumprom exported its goods to 69 countries: 59 non-CIS countries and 10 CIS countries in 2022.

Belarusian President’s Visit to Boost Ties

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Sunday evening.
Lukashenko was officially welcomed by Fatemi-Amin at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.
The past two years have demonstrated a breakthrough in relations between Iran and Belarus, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said at the talks with Lukashenko in Tehran on March 13.
"Our relations have always been vibrant. But over the past two years, we have really seen a breakthrough. Undoubtedly, your visit to Iran will give a great impetus to the development of our bilateral relations," Raisi said.
In 2021, trade between the two countries exceeded $33 million, an increase of more than a third compared to 2020. Over the past year, the level of trade increased even more significantly: In 2022, Belarus-Iran trade hit $100 million, which represented a threefold increase.
The visit of the Belarusian president is taking place as the countries are getting ready to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (March 18).
“The talks in Tehran will focus on the development of cooperation across the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with an emphasis on trade and economy. The meeting of the presidents will be held in the one-on-one and expanded formats with the participation of members of delegations. The parties will discuss the projects in industry, agriculture, transport and logistics. Particular consideration will be given to the situation in the region and in the world as a whole,” the president's press service informed.

Belarus Eyes Wide-Ranging Relations

Belarus stands ready to strengthen not only a full-fledged political dialogue with Iran but also to develop trade and economic ties and joint investment projects” Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Iran Dmitry Koltsov said in an interview with BelTA. 
He called economic cooperation the key area of interaction.
"In the difficult geopolitical situation, Belarus and Iran managed to achieve certain successes in the development of bilateral trade and investment cooperation. This is confirmed by the statistical data. In 2022, trade between our countries more than tripled," the Belarusian diplomat said.
Belarus and Iran will soon sign an agreement that will enable international freight transportation by road without permits, BelTA learned from Belarusian Transport and Communications Minister Aleksei Avramenko before a session of the ministry's board.
Belarus and Iran advance cooperation in transportation. A document on introducing permit-free international freight transportation by road is nearly ready for signing. This will allow logistic companies to more widely use the potential of automobile transport for developing new schemes for shipping between Belarus and Iran.
Avramenko said, “We have plans concerning permit-free transportation to four countries. We've held negotiations with Iran. I think the agreement will be signed within the next two weeks. It is going through the authorization procedure in Belarus. The Iranian side is also about to complete the relevant authorization granting procedure.”