Pakistan, Belarus Pledge Deeper Industrial and Textile Cooperation
Islamabad: Pakistan and Belarus have reaffirmed their resolve to expand bilateral cooperation in industrial and textile sectors, with Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan highlighting the potential of joint ventures to drive economic collaboration. In a detailed meeting with Belarusian Ambassador A. Metelitsa, both sides discussed a comprehensive roadmap for industrial revival, textile innovation, workforce exchange, and machinery procurement.
A focal point of the discussion was the reactivation of a Belarus-backed industrial plant in Balochistan, initially linked to DMV and Omnigroup. Minister Kamal stressed the government’s preference to utilize existing infrastructure for swift implementation. He also welcomed Belarus’s continued support in tractor manufacturing and other technical fields, encouraging proposals that align with Pakistan’s strategic industrial needs.
The Minister underscored the value of launching a textile joint venture, with Belarus providing investment and technical input. Given the rising cotton deficit and external sourcing challenges, including reliance on U.S. supplies, both sides explored partnerships with Central Asian states like Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. Collaboration with institutions such as Pakistan’s National Textile University was also considered to facilitate technological assessments and training.
Labor cooperation and machinery procurement emerged as key priorities, with Belarus offering to absorb more skilled Pakistani workers to address its labor shortages. Additionally, talks explored sourcing Belarusian equipment like electric buses and excavators for Pakistan’s industries. Concluding the meeting, Minister Kamal reiterated the importance of timely follow-ups, enhanced institutional linkages, and a Joint Working Group session to convert shared goodwill into tangible economic outcomes.
