Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich has begun his first official visit to Vietnam. The visit is expected to create opportunities for both countries to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields including economics, trade and investment.

Vietnam and Belarus have developed a traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation for a long time. Belarus opened its embassy in Vietnam in 1998 and in 2003, a Vietnamese embassy was set up in Belarus. The first Vietnamese Ambassador was sent to Belarus in March 2005. The two countries have exchanged delegations between ministries, sectors and localities and held several top level meetings. Both countries supported each other at the UN, the Non Aligned Movement and other international forums. Two-way trade turnover between the two countries has totaled 150 million USD so far this year, up 2.6 folds against the same period last year. Vietnam exports to Belarus seafood, electrical and electronic appliances, telephones, printers, garments, footwear rice, natural rubber and canned fruits. It imports fertilizer, machinery, automobile accessories and tractors from Belarus. In recent years, seafood has accounted for a large volume of Vietnam’s exports to Belarus. The Vietnam-Belarus Intergovernmental Committee for Economic, Trade and Scientific and Technological Cooperation has held 8 annual sessions. Last year, the two governments signed an economic cooperative program for 2011- 2012 period.

Over the past few years, Belarus has helped Vietnam train officials and experts with high professionalism. The two countries have strengthened cooperation in science and technology and implemented several cooperative programs. Businesses of the two countries have signed an agreement sending Vietnamese workers to work at the Minsk Recreation Center. Cooperation between localities of the two countries including Hanoi and Minsk, Da Nang and Grondo, HCM City and Minsk and Binh Thuan and Vichevsco has been strengthened in recent years. During Hanoi Mayor Nguyen The Thao’s visit to Belarus last May, the two signed a memorandum of understanding on orientations of cooperation on economics, transportation, and culture.  Cooperation in security and defense, health care, culture and communication, sports and tourism has been enhanced since Belarusian President Lukashenko visited Vietnam 3 years ago. There are about 600 Vietnamese living in Belarus. In December 2006, the Belarusian President granted legal residency for Vietnamese people who had worked in Belarus since 1992. During Prime Minister Myasnokovich’s visit to Vietnam this week, the two countries are expected to sign a number of cooperative agreements on trade, education, training, judiciary and customs. Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnokovich will attend the opening in Vietnam a representative office for the Minsk automobile company and a signing ceremony for a new Vietnam-Belarus Science and Technology Research Center and the Vietnam-Belarus Business Forum. 20 leading Belarusian enterprises involved in machinery, construction, oil and gas, energy, light industry, agriculture and trade and around 100 Vietnamese enterprises will attend this forum to seek cooperation opportunities.

The Belarusian Prime Minister’s visit demonstrates Belarus’ wish for closer ties with Vietnam.

Anh Huyen