Minsk to Host Iran-Belarus Economic Commission in Oct.

The meeting of Belarusian-Iranian commission for economic cooperation will be held in Minsk on Oct. 10-11, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Embassy in Tehran. 
Preparations for the meeting were discussed at a meeting attended by charge d'affaires of Belarus to Iran, Oleg Kukhalsky, Alireza Sonai, the head of Department for Cooperation with Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine of the Eurasia Office of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, and Behrouz Olfat, the director of Europe and America Department of Iran’s Industries Ministry.
The two sides discussed bilateral issues, including prospects of regional cooperation and development of trade and economic cooperation. 
The meeting focused on practical aspects of organizing the 15th session of the joint commission, which is set to analyze the prospects of economic cooperation.
“Iran is determined to scale up efforts to expand trade with Belarus to $1 billion per year,” Chairman of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture Masoud Khansari said in an interview with BelTA in July.
He led a large Iranian business delegation to Belarus on July 23-26.
According to the official, the most promising areas of cooperation include mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. 
According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, Iran traded 13,798 tons of non-oil commodities worth $26.7 million with Belarus during the last fiscal year (ended March 20, 2019) to register a 39.7% and 20.89% decline in tonnage and value respectively compared with the year before.
Iran’s exports to Belarus stood at 2,009 tons worth $2.76 million, up 72.83% and 56.29% in tonnage and value respectively year-on-year. 
Belarus was Iran’s 89th export destination during the year.
Iran mainly exported floorings, raisins, medical devices, cucumber and pistachios to Belarus during the 12-month period.
The country exported 11,789 tons of goods worth $23.94 million to Iran, down 45.72% and 25.16% in tonnage and value respectively YOY. 
Belarus was the 57th exporter of goods to Iran over the year, which mainly included synthetic fibers, monocular and natural rubber.