MINSK (BelTA) – The Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Belarus and Tajikistan have established a joint Business Council. An agreement was signed by the chairmen of the Chambers of the two countries, BelTA learnt from the Minsk Office of Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

Joint Business Council has been established in pursuance of the Protocol of the 7^th meeting of the intergovernmental Belarusian-Tajikistan commission for trade and economic cooperation, held in Minsk on 21-22 October 2010.

After the agreement was signed, the Council held its first meeting to discuss topical issues of bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation. The Council reviewed the prospects of assembling kits of Belarusian tractors in Tajikistan.

Businessmen of the two countries also held a business match-making session. The Belarusian side was represented by Belagroprombank, Promagroleasing, Intermebel, Neman Glassworks, Belmedpreparaty, Dorelektromash, Molodechnomebel and Bobruisk plant of tractor parts and units. As was noted at the BCCI, Tajik businessmen showed the greatest interest in Belarus-made medications, glass-and crystal-ware, furniture, road construction and agricultural machinery.

The next meeting of the Joint Business Council is planned for 2012, in Belarus.

Belarus’ major exports to Tajikistan are sugar, tractors, fluoride, chipboards, tires, furniture, medicines, and refrigerators. Belarus imports mostly cotton fibre and dried fruits from Tajikistan.