Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Uzbekistan Leonid Marinich had a phone conversation with the Uzbekistan agriculture minister to discuss the state and prospects of cooperation in the agricultural sector on 11 August, BelTA learned from the embassy.

According to the Belarusian diplomat, the export of Belarus-made agricultural products and foodstuffs to Uzbekistan in H1 2020 amounted to $32.3 million, up 3.3 times year-on-year. Uzbekistan increased supplies of fruit and vegetables to Belarus, including apricots, cherries, watermelons, melons and dry fruit.

The ambassador and the minister also reviewed progress in implementing Belarus-Uzbekistan joint projects in the agricultural sector, including projects to set up a milk processing complex and a selection breeding center and a project to launch production of veterinary medicines.

“Belarus would like to take part in the upgrade of the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is set to implement a number of large-scale projects financed by the World Bank. These projects provide for promoting agricultural science and technology, establishing agricultural centers, providing phytosanitary and certification services, expanding the network of clusters in the agricultural industry.

Belarusian agricultural companies and research centers are ready to help Uzbekistan's agriculture ministry to set up advanced research centers and facilities and to train highly qualified specialists for them.

The Belarusian ambassador invited the Uzbekistan agriculture minister to take part in the Belarusian Agriculture Week that will be held in Minsk on 29 September - 3 October.