Belarus is fully determined to fulfill the agreement to hit $1 billion in trade with Pakistan, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Armed Forces of Pakistan Zubair Mahmood Hayat on 17 December, BelTA has learned.

The head of state noted that any interstate relations are underpinned by economy. Earlier, Belarus and Pakistan had pledged to do their best to increase the bilateral trade up to $1 billion.

“This is not a huge figure taking into consideration our economic capacities. However, you should know that we in Belarus are fully determined to fulfill this agreement. Putting in a nutshell our plans regarding cooperation in the defense industry, I will say the following: we are ready to show you everything that might interest you in Belarus. If you want to purchase or produce something together with us, we will consider and arrange things fast,” Alexander Lukashenko noted.

The president pointed to a big role the army plays in Pakistan and called the visit of Zubair Mahmood Hayat to Belarus a historic event. “The army in Pakistan is more than just an army. You have a tremendous economic and social load. Our army could learn from you how to work, make money and use money to build huge enterprises. We are ready to join your economic and social activities and if any of our goods are well suited for your army and your country, we are ready to supply these goods. We might as well set up joint ventures in Pakistan together with Pakistani specialists to produce these goods,” the head of state suggested.

Alexander Lukashenko also spoke about the work of the joint commission for trade and economic cooperation and suggested arranging a meeting between a Belarusian delegation and the Pakistani Army representatives in charge of procurement and social and economic projects. “We could agree on joint projects directly with your subordinates,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The parties also discussed bilateral cooperation in integration projects, including in the contest of the construction of the Chinese-Pakistani economic corridor and the Silk Road Economic Belt. The parties believe that these projects are mutually beneficial.

Belarus is firmly committed to expand cooperation with Pakistan across all areas. Alexander Lukashenko gave his best regards to the country's leadership and an invitation to Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan to pay a visit to Belarus any time that is convenient to him.