Belarus invites France to intensify investment cooperation. The matter was discussed at a meeting between Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich and a delegation of the France-Belarus Friendship Group of the National Assembly of France on 25 June, BelTA informs.

Mikhail Myasnikovich suggested discussing the prospects of investment cooperation, which Belarus is eager to intensify. He took note of the successes in the dairy industry, citing the example of cooperation with the French food company Danone and other producers. There is confidence in further progress in the area. “We would also like to see more headway in the industry,” said the chairman of the Council of the Republic. “Belarus and France are implementing a project in the pharmaceutical sector. There are also projects in engineering,” Mikhail Myasnikovich stated.

In 2017, the trade between Belarus and France went up 28%, as compared to 2016. The momentum continued in 2018: the mutual trade grew by about 13%. The head of the upper house of the parliament emphasized that Belarus still demonstrates a trade deficit and spoke in favor of balancing the mutual trade.

In turn, Chairman of the France-Belarus Friendship Group Christophe Lejeune suggested discussing the development of cooperation in agriculture, industry and tourism. In his words, a large number of agricultural enterprises in France are interested in developing cooperation with Belarusian partners, in particular in meat production, and would like to come to the country to hold talks. The head of the friendship group plans to return to Belarus in winter together with representatives of French agricultural companies. As for industry, including mechanical engineering, Christophe Lejeune suggested considering the possibility of expanding cooperation with Peugeot-Citroen Concern in part of car assembling and maintenance services. The MP stressed that Belarus would be a privileged partner of France both in a long, short and midterm perspective.

The parties also discussed cooperation in the international arena. Belarusian MPs hope that their French counterparts will support the resolution on digital economy. Belarus plans to present it during the summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Berlin. The participants of the meeting considered the prospects of regional cooperation and praised the activity of the parliamentary friendship groups.