OREANDA-NEWS. First Vice Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko will meet with Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, in Minsk on November 5, reported the Official website www.government.by.

The meeting will take place as part of an official visit of the Chinese Premier to Belarus. Vladimir Semashko and Wen Jiabao are expected to hold a short one-on-one meeting.

China is a major trade partner of Belarus. In January-August 2007 the PRC ranked fifth in trade turnover terms, seventh in export terms, and third in import terms among non-CIS states. In 2007 the trade between Belarus and China totalled $797,7 million, 60% up on the same period of 2006. Belarus’ export reached $325,4 million (57,2% up), import — $472,3 million (63,2% up).

Belarus sells potash fertilisers, rock haulers and spare parts, microchips, metal products, chemical products, machine tools and instruments to China. Belarus buys equipment, components and materials for export-oriented industries as well as consumer goods from China.

At present several Belarusian companies, including Belarusian Potash Company, Minsk Tractor Works, MZKT, BelAZ, Integral, BMZ, Gomselmash, Transaviaexport, and Belneftekhim Concern, have representations and dealerships in China.

In March 2006 the Belarusian government adopted a programme meant to step up Belarusian-Chinese relations in 2006-2010. The programme envisages major actions covering trade, economic, credit and investment spheres as well as further development of collaboration in healthcare, education, culture, tourism and sports, regional cooperation.