Azerbaijan Trade House opens in Minsk
By Amina Nazarli
First Azerbaijan Trade House, created to support the promotion of Azerbaijani goods, was opened in the Belarusian capital Minsk.
Azerbaijani delegation led by Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev attended the opening ceremony held on May 26.
The Trade House is aimed to promote national products under the ‘Made in Azerbaijan’ brand in Belarus, and engage in marketing research, participation in exhibitions and other activities related to the promotion of Azerbaijani goods.
Mustafayev addressed the opening ceremony, saying that Azerbaijan Trade House in Belarus is contributing to diversification of the trade between the countries.
“The opening of Azerbaijan Trade House in Minsk is an important event that caused great interest among Belarusian entrepreneurs as its main goal is to promote the ‘Made in Azerbaijan’ brand, promote export, expand and develop bilateral cooperation,” Mustafayev said.
He added that the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Belarus increased by 33 percent in 2016 and by more than 40 percent in the first four months of 2017.
“Today, the Azerbaijan-Belarus ties are at a high level,” Mustafayev said. “The friendly relations between the Azerbaijani and Belarusian presidents give those ties a powerful impetus. Azerbaijani and Belarusian people have sincere and friendly relations.”
The minister stressed that the initiative to open the Trade House was put forward at the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Belarusian presidents in November 2016.
“Great job was done, several visits were made, the Azerbaijani-Belarusian business forum was organized and a place for the location of Azerbaijan Trade House was chosen for such a short period,” he mentioned.
In turn, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said that Azerbaijan will be able to balance trade with Belarus thanks to the activity of its Trade House in Minsk.
Makei added that Belarus will directly receive most demanded products from Azerbaijan, for example, fruits, vegetables and natural juices.
“This is the first foreign Trade House of Azerbaijan,” he added. “It is natural that Azerbaijan’s first Trade House opened in Belarus because Azerbaijan and Belarus have a very close and meaningful dialogue at all levels. This dialogue is based on friendship between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Belarus.”
The minister said that thanks to the direct supply of Azerbaijani products to the Belarusian market, it will be possible to supply those products to other countries of the Eurasian Economic Union in the future.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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