MP comments on Lukashenko’s visit to Zimbabwe: we’ll see economic effect
A deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, Sergei Klishevich, is confident that the visit of the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, and a delegation of Belarusian enterprises to Zimbabwe will end with the signing of major contracts
In his talk with Alfa Radio, Mr. Klishevich shared an opinion that – if the Head of State has gone to Zimbabwe – this means it is not a mere courtesy visit. “It embraces the previously worked out contacts and options for co-operation. A large delegation of Belarusian enterprises – which already had contacts with Zimbabwe, I believe – has gone there. We will see an economic effect of this. Belarus still offers to communicate and make friends, including in economic terms, with all states, but it is not a problem if the US and the EU refuse this proposal,” he explained.
The MP noted that trips of the kind are primarily aimed at improving the welfare of Belarus’ citizens, “Nobody is travelling somewhere for no reason. There is no political tourism, but there is a specific job and a specific effect. Clearly, Europe will be easily replaced by the countries of Latin America and the African continent – not to mention Asia, with which Belarus has been liaising for a long time already. These countries are the basis of our trade and economic relations. If [the US and the EU do not want to co-operate], we will establish relations [with other countries]. True, it might be harder to work somewhere from the point of view of logistics, but this is a solvable issue. There are no problems in the alliance with Russia and China, and we can deliver goods with them to any destination, without any problems. This indicates that our state is working for its people.”
According to Mr. Klishevich, the heads of Belarusian enterprises have gone to Zimbabwe to sell domestically produced goods, thus increasing incomes of Belarusians.
“This means that salaries will be paid regularly, and social guarantees will be preserved. People will feel safe, comfortable, and they will be able to pay bills safely. If we are developing, and not just preserving [what we have], then the welfare of citizens is increasing, and the President's international policy is guided by this. The main vector of Belarus’ international co-operation is the economy, which is a vital direction for our country; everything is aimed at this. Revenues to Belarus’ budget will increase, if Zimbabwe becomes its trade and economic hub on the African continent,” the deputy stated.
