‘from military cooperation to
trade partnerships’
The steadily growing diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Belarus started
since 7th International Exhibition of Arms and Military Machinery (MILEX- July
2014), held in Minsk, Belarus, representatives of both states were agree on
military cooperation and trade of defense production and some days later, when
Belarus announced to open its first diplomatic mission in Islamabad in September
2014, I was observing both nations would likely persuade to transform their
rapidly growing interest on military cooperation into broader bilateral trade
and economically beneficial relations.
On 28th May, 2015, President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenka during his meeting
with his Pakistani counterpart President Mamnoon Hussein, make known that
Belarus and Pakistan should work hard to improve economic relations. At this
time, I am thinking, my observation was right and both nations have rather
chosen right dimension to transform each other economically beneficial gains.
Before Lukashenko’s visit to Pakistan, tremendous efforts have already been made
by newly appointed Ambassador of Belarus to Pakistan, Andrei Ermolovich who had
been attending meetings with Pakistani business delegations representing
different industries and during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and
Industry on November 24, 2014, he said, “Belarus is one of the most
industrialized countries, located in the heart of Europe and by promoting trade
with it, Pakistan could have better access to the region”. This time Belarusian
President is delivering the same significance; promotion of bilateral trade and
economic relations alongside strong military cooperation.
Historically, foreign relations and trade between the potential states have been
very limited, and exports to Belarus’s market are confined to very identifiable
items likewise pharmaceutical and textile products. And in the same way, the
exports of Belarus to Pakistan were confined to mainly tractors, their tyres &
spare parts. As for instance, current volume of trade between two countries is
USD 60 million.
One year ago, when Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Rana Tanveer met with senior
Belarusian military official to explore areas for military cooperation, some
news were on air that strategic cooperation would again be confined to the
development for the trade on defence products. Belarusian Minister of Defence
Yuri Zhdobin has also participated in the 8th International Defence Exhibition
and Seminar (IDEAS-2014), held in Karachi (Pakistan). On Belarusian side, this
is the utmost proffer from Pakistan because comparatively, Pakistani defence
production industry is well sufficient to make a balance of Belarusian defence
position in many areas; as of course Pakistani ace JF-17 aircraft (developed
with Chinese cooperation) is the most lucrative item to discuss in any deal.
Admittedly, Belarusian defence industry is large bearing in mind the size of the
country, has undergone significantly after the collapse of former Soviet Union
as demand for military products demurred across the former Soviet space. Belarus
shares close ties with Russia and its defence industry mainly depends upon
limited contract with Russia. Lukashenko’s government has since long been
looking forward to develop its military sector but due its close ties with
Russia and authoritarian rule of Lukashenko, there remained pressure from
European Union and United Nations to install any military cooperation projects
within Belarus or with any other state. Recently, United Nations and European
Unions have approved Belarus, in part for its fulfilment to do business with
repressive regimes and pariah states.
On the other hand, Pakistan due to its sufficiency in various defence sectors
definitely wants to entrench military cooperation but alongside beneficial
economic gains, direct and indirect benefits to various other potential
industrial sectors by enhancing bilateral agreements. President Mamnoon Hussain
during his meeting with President Lukashenko desired to build a broad based,
substantive and long-term relationship with Belarus in all fields including
trade, economic, education, defence, and culture.
This is even essential and the most appropriate strategy adopted by the
Pakistani government this time. Credit goes to Belarusian government as well to
turn their interest for military cooperation into bilateral trade and economic
relations and offering Pakistan an easy access to European market and their
willingness to sign Memorandum of Understandings (MoU), and bilateral accords.
Soon or later, both nations have determined the right coerce, however, they
still need to work hard, share experiences, avail information. Some steps have
already been taken in this regard as during Lukashenko’s visit to Pakistan at
29th May 2014, 15 accords including 5 MoUs have been signed to boost up
cooperation in the field of trade, defence, education, technology and culture.
Besides, some further following steps may also be beneficial to make trade
cooperation faster.
A customs union agreement which Belarus has signed with Russia and Kazakhstan,
Pakistani exporters can use to get free trade access to these countries by
advancing exports to Belarus.
Pakistan has specialized in textile industry and now enjoying GPS-Plus status
with European Union, Belarus is situated in the heart of Europe, by enhancing
exports to Belarus, Pakistani exporters can avail easy transit access to the
Eastern Europe and Scandinavian markets. By establishing planned railway line
between Pakistan and Turkey, trade to Eastern European and Scandinavian
countries will also increase.
Direct one to one contact should be enhanced through exchange of business
delegations so that investors can explore markets. More and more meetings of
Joint Economic Commission should be held so that representatives of both the
countries may improve economic partnership.
Pakistan is a lucrative market for steel industry and Belarus should share its
experience in steel industry by setting up a steel plant which may prove a
greater return for Belarusian.
People to people contact can also be improved by cultural and educational
exchange policy. The links between universities, art and technical institutions
should be developed. In this regard, more and more students and artists should
be offered scholarships.
Above all, the time and space has provided both the potential states with an
opportunity to establish deeper relations. Hopefully, both nations will
experience a broader defence partnership as demand is effective. However, in
order to grasp this opportunity with both hands for a rapid growth of
cooperation in other potential sectors, the suggested measures should also be
taken into consideration. (ENDS)