Lukashenko to meet with Cuban prime minister

The Cuban head of government arrived in Belarus on an official visit on 9 November. He is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, leaders of both chambers of the Belarusian Parliament and members of the National Assembly's working group on cooperation with the Cuban Parliament. While on a visit to Belarus, Manuel Marrero Cruz will learn more about the capabilities of the Belarusian manufacturing sector and meat and dairy industries.

This year, trade between Belarus and Cuba has gained momentum. In January-September, trade reached $10.5 million, with the growth rate hitting 307% year-on-year. The surplus for Belarus has increased almost 9 times to total almost $8 million. The export of services is also growing (by more than 20%): in January-July it amounted to $155,200. Last year Belarus provided business services to Cuba. This year these are mostly telecommunications, computer and information services.

The two countries are working to increase mutual trade. In July, a Belarusian delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik paid an official visit to Cuba. Then the parties discussed the entire range of Belarusian-Cuban relations and ways to intensify them, including through the mechanism of the bilateral commission on trade and economic cooperation. Traditionally, special attention was paid to the supply of Belarusian equipment and spare parts, popular food products and other Belarusian goods. During the meetings, the Belarusian-Cuban cooperation and promising joint projects in the field of science, biotechnology and pharmacology were discussed in great detail.