OREANDA-NEWS. March 29, 2010. Presidents of Belarus and Brazil Alexander Lukashenko and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have agreed to start negotiations to sign agreements on cooperation in trade, agriculture, investments, sports and education. The two presidents signed a joint declaration on March 22, 2010 during Lukashenko’s visit to Brazil, the press service of the president reported.

The presidents agreed to establish a bilateral commission for trade and economic cooperation.

The heads of state also plan to expand and diversify bilateral trade and investments, promote industrial cooperation, and exchange business delegations. To this end, Belarus and Brazil plan to set up an assembly facility to make Belarusian agricultural equipment in the state of Goias.

Brazil is interested in increasing imports of mine trucks and BelAZ dump trucks from Belarus, as well as tire imports.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Brazil would like to increase and diversify food deliveries to Belarus, including soybeans and meat and expand mutual trade in fertilizers.

The heads of state also agreed to develop bilateral cooperation in the production of biofuel.

Belarus plans to open its embassy in the city of Brasilia, whereas Brazil may open its embassy in Minsk on a reciprocal basis.