Georgia-Belarus trade turnover should reach $200m, says Lukashenko

Trade turnover between Georgia and Belarus is positive but the partnership can intensify and reach $200 million USD, believes Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian official welcomed Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili to capital Minsk today, and said there was "huge potential” for both countries to develop the fruitful relationship and cooperate further in several directions, particularly trade and economy. 

I am very happy that you feel at home in Belarus. I visited Georgia last year and we decided to cooperate in various directions. I promise we won’t step back from this promise,” Lukashenko said. 

When it comes to our trade and economic partnership, we want trade turnover between Georgia and Belarus to reach $200m (last year it was $45m). This will be the first step we should take together in the near future. 

Top officials from Georgia and Belarus agreed there was potential to develop the bilateral relationship. Photo by the Prime Minister’s webpage. 

We have always been friendly nations,” Lukashenko added. 

Kvirikashvili spoke fondly of the existing relationship between Georgia and Belarus and agreed there was huge potential for future bilateral cooperation. He added it was a big honour for him to visit the country.

We are ready to enhance trade and economic relations. We have huge potential to cooperate, with the investment direction among them,” Kvirikashvili said.

The two leaders also discussed prospects of a closer partnership in the transport, communication, information technologies, tourism, and cultural sectors, and spoke about current regional challenges.

The Georgian official thanked Lukashenko for his continued support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

While in Minsk, Georgian Prime Minister also met his Belarusian counterpart Andrei Kobyakov. The two officials signed a document about creating a Georgia-Belarus Business Council to further intensify the economic relations between the two countries.

It has been highlighted that the opening of Belarus Embassy to Georgia in the coming months will more enhance bilateral ties.

Today Kvirikashvili will meet other Belarus officials and return to Georgia tomorrow.