Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan were established more than 30 years ago. Over this period, cooperation between the two countries has steadily developed, and the trade turnover has expanded. A significant boost to further interaction was given by the visit of the President of Belarus to Pakistan in November 2024 and the return visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Belarus in April of this year, as well as the business forum held in Minsk, organized by the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
What has caused the revival of trade and economic relations between Belarus and Pakistan?
Over the course of the Belarusian-Pakistani partnership, the countries have developed an essential contractual legal framework and established strong ties across various sectors of the economy. The foundation of this cooperation lies in mutual respect and a shared commitment to generating new ideas that will promote the prosperity of both the Belarusian and Pakistani peoples. Additionally, the countries share similar positions on key international issues, particularly regarding the creation of a just world order and the protection of the interests of all participants in international relations.
The growing need to capitalize the established diplomatic relations is driven by the mutual desire to develop economic and cultural ties, based on mutual benefit and for the welfare of the citizens of our countries.
In November of last year, the President of the Republic of Belarus paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. During this visit, the leadership of both countries identified key areas for cooperation and outlined new spheres of mutual interest. Relevant government agencies and organizations were tasked with specific objectives, the successful fulfillment of which will contribute to the further development of Belarusian-Pakistani partnership.
Belarus and Pakistan have significant potential for economic cooperation. Belarus is known for its advanced technologies and well-developed industries such as mechanical engineering, agriculture, and electronics. Pakistan, in turn, represents a large market in need of modern technologies and equipment. This creates opportunities for mutually beneficial trade and investment.
In particular, there are significant opportunities in the field of agriculture. Belarus, with its expertise in agronomy and animal husbandry, can offer Pakistan modern technologies and farming methods. This will allow the South Asian country to increase productivity and improve its level of food security. Cooperation in the educational, scientific, and cultural spheres will bring mutual benefit to both countries, further strengthening the friendly ties between our peoples.
What is the trade turnover dynamic?
In 2024, the trade turnover between countries amounted to $50.3 million, which is 104.6% of the 2023 level. Belarusian exports totaled $34.2 million (107.1% compared to 2023), while imports from Pakistan amounted to $16.1 million (99.6%). The trade balance was positive, standing at $18.1 million in favor of Belarus.
In January–February 2025, the trade turnover between Belarus and Pakistan reached $3 million.
The total turnover in 2024 amounted to $2.4 million (83.9% compared to 2023). The export reached $2 million (82.5%), while imports totaled $0.4 million (92.7%), trade surplus - 1.6 million dollars.
The foundation of Belarusian exports consists of sophisticated technical, chemical, and food products with high added value. These include tractors, heavy trucks and accessories, tires, chemical fibers, baby food, pharmaceuticals, cellulose, and potash fertilizers.
Leading imports from Pakistan to Belarus are primarily citrus fruits, rice, leather products, and light industry goods such as fabrics, textiles, bed linen, medical instruments, and sports equipment.
What areas offer potential for Belarusian-Pakistani cooperation?
During the visit of the Head of the Belarusian State to Pakistan in November 2024, 16 bilateral official documents were signed, including the Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation between Belarus and Pakistan for 2025–2027, as well as 8 contracts and commercial memorandums.
To boost mutual trade and establish strong connections among business circles, a Belarusian-Pakistani business forum was held in Minsk, during which bilateral contracts and agreements in various fields were also signed. Currently, more than 100 Belarusian-Pakistani documents are in effect, 15 of which are intergovernmental and interstate agreements.
The parties are negotiating around 10 international treaties and bilateral documents, including agreements on readmission, cooperation in combating crime, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, protection of classified information, avoidance of double taxation, investment protection, cooperation in labor-related issues, and cooperation between the Ministries of Internal Affairs and the Ministries of Defense.
Cooperation in the field of agriculture continues to develop actively.
There are intentions to establish joint assembly plants for tractors, and possibilities are being explored for opening service centers for machinery maintenance, increasing supplies of trucks, passenger vehicles, and municipal equipment. Options for organizing the assembly of electric buses are also being considered.
A dialogue is underway regarding the development of correspondent banking relations between Pakistani and Belarusian banks, as well as the establishment of a stable payment discipline.
An analysis of the activities of nearly 100 Pakistani companies that participated in the Minsk business forum shows that a quarter of them are involved in the production of clothing and footwear, including sports goods, and are aiming to export to Belarus. Some of these companies are also interested in importing raw materials from Belarus, particularly flax fiber and leather.
More points of contact are observed in the food and agricultural product segment, represented at the forum by 15 Pakistani companies. Deliveries of rice, fruits and dried fruits, spices, as well as reciprocal exports of dairy products and rapeseed oil, may be of real mutual interest. Eight companies from the tobacco industry are also participating in this cooperation.
Another eight Pakistani enterprises represented the gemstone and jewelry sector, which may be of interest to Belarusian manufacturers in terms of raw material supply. Cooperation in the supply of lumber and furniture also appears promising.
The electronics and mechanical engineering sector was represented by eight Pakistani companies, including three importers of agricultural machinery. However, the priority for Pakistan, as noted by Faiz Ahmad, Executive Director of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, is not merely import, but the establishment of assembly plants for tractors, buses, and electric vehicles, with the aim of further supplying products to regional markets.
The forum also featured pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of medical equipment, electric motors, tires, chemicals, construction materials, and logistics operators.
What issues were addressed during the eighth session of the Joint Belarusian-Pakistani Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation?
In February of this year, the eighth session of the Joint Belarusian-Pakistani Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was held in Minsk. The event was attended by a Pakistani delegation headed by the Federal Minister of Commerce of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Jam Kamal Khan. The delegation also included representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries and Production, and the Special Investment Facilitation Council of Pakistan. The Belarusian side was represented by officials from republican state administration bodies, interested organizations and enterprises.
As a result of the commission meeting, agreements reflecting the interests and capabilities of both sides were reached and documented in the final protocol signed by the parties.
In particular, the protocol decisions include provisions for:
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Intensifying efforts in trade and commerce;
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Expanding cooperation in the industrial sector, including the textile industry, through the development of an action plan for implementing the signed Memorandum of Understanding;
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Facilitating increased volumes and a broader range of mutual supplies of food products and agricultural raw materials, and continuing work on the registration of veterinary drugs;
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Expanding bilateral cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, including within the framework of a dedicated working group;
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Detailing cooperation in education and professional training (developing and implementing a joint action plan by relevant educational institutions);
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Enhancing collaboration in science and technology and in the dissemination of national standards (organizing relevant events such as conferences and competitions, and developing agreed mechanisms for exchanging national standards to simplify the work of export-oriented organizations in both countries);
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Developing mechanisms for strengthening correspondent relations between Pakistani and Belarusian banks;
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Mutual promotion of tourism and sports potential;
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Resuming and intensifying cooperation in the field of information exchange;
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Exploring prospects for bilateral cooperation on labor migration issues.
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