OREANDA-NEWS. January 27, 2007. The trade turnover between Belarus and Turkmenistan may reach $1 billion by 2010, Vice-Premier of Belarus Alexander Kosinets said at a session of the Belarusian-Turkmen commission for trade and economic cooperation, reported the Official website www.government.by.

According to Alexander Kosinets, the trade turnover between the two countries grew seven times as against 2007 and totaled $90 million.

The session of the intergovernmental commission is taking place during the year jubilee for the two states: 15 years ago, on January 21 Belarus and Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations. Apart from trade the two countries continue developing links in the educational, cultural, sports and tourism spheres, Alexander Kosinets underlined. Belarus also shows interest in promoting cooperation with Turkmenistan in petrochemistry, power engineering, mechanical engineering, agriculture, the foodstuff and pharmaceutical industries.

On January 27 the Turkmen delegation headed by Khydyr Saparlyev, a co-chair of the commission on the Turkmenistan part and a deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, visited Minsk Tractor Works and the Belarusian National Technical University.

At the session Khydyr Saparlyev thanked the Belarusian side for warm and hospitable reception and for the creation of all necessary conditions. The Turkmen side is interested in intensifying bilateral cooperation in all spheres, he underlined.

Belarus and Turkmenistan have signed 16 international treaties including interstate and intergovernmental documents. Turkmenistan shows special interest in Belarus-made farm machines and other agricultural equipment. Besides, Minsk Motor Works has a representative office in Turkmenistan. According to Khydyr Saparlyev, Turkmenistan may annually import $30-40 million worth of Belarus-made farm machines. Every year the trade turnover between the two countries grows 5-6 times. There are seven Belarusian companies working in Turkmenistan.

The two countries may carry out joint projects in the light industry field. Turkmenistan has a powerful textile industry able to process the whole harvest of cotton. In turn it is ready to purchase the Belarusian flax-fibre, Khydyr Saparlyev underlined. He also confirmed readiness of his country to actively work with Belarus in petrochemistry, agriculture and foodstuff production.

Moreover, the Turkmen side is interested in training emergencies specialists in Belarus. Turkmenistan also invites the Belarusians to visit the national tourist zone on the coast of the Caspian Sea.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov may visit Belarus. A statement to this effect was made on January 27 at a session of the intergovernmental Belarusian-Turkmen commission for trade and economic cooperation.

According to Alexander Kosinets, a co-chairman of the commission and the Belarusian Vice-premier, all key issues of the cooperation between Belarus and Turkmenistan will be discussed during the session. Belarus and Turkmenistan will do everything to prepare the high-level visit.

Khydyr Saparlyev, a co-chair of the commission on the Turkmenistan part and a deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, confirmed the information about the forthcoming visit of Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov to Belarus. According to him, the sides should make an inventory of all documents and prepare new papers, which should be signed during the visit.