Belarusian exports to Africa up 4-fold in 8 months of 2024
In the first eight months of this year, Belarusian exports to African countries increased 4 times and reached almost $500m – as informed by Dmitry Mironchik, the Director of the Directorate for Asia, Africa and Latin America at Belarus’ Foreign Ministry, at the recently held Africa: Legal Nuances of Doing Business international forum, sb.by reports
Mr. Mironchik noted that Belarus and Africa have a long history of friendship, mutual support and equal-right co-operation. “Over the past 30+ years of independence, our relationship has strengthened. The countries are exchanging visits at the high and highest levels, the number of joint programmes and events is growing, and new embassies are opening,” he said.
Importantly, good political contacts are transforming into profitable economic projects, and Mr. Mironchik commented, “In January-August 2024, Belarusian exports increased 4-fold and reached almost $500m, surpassing the peak figures of the pre-COVID year 2019 when annual exports made $410m. The year 2024 has become a new starting point for us. The work on sustainable export growth continues.”
According to the Foreign Ministry’s representative, Zimbabwe harvested a record volume of wheat in 2022-2023 thanks to the Belarusian equipment and competencies. The country has thus regained its status of a breadbasket of southern Africa.
“Belarus is ready for more advanced forms of interaction, it offers a comprehensive approach for the development of industries. In this regard, it is very important to hold events which focus on the practical aspects of doing business in Africa. This is a marker that Belarus and Africa are serious partners and have long-lasting plans,” Mr. Mironchik stressed. “We stand for fair and equitable relations, which would bring mutual benefit to the countries. As the President of Belarus has repeatedly noted, our republic is ready to help African countries be landlords on their territories.”
