Belarus is preparing to supply more than 3,000 units of tractor equipment and 80 combine harvesters to Zimbabwe in the near future, Belarusian Industry Minister Alexander Rogozhnik said during a meeting with his Zimbabwean counterpart Dr. Sithembiso Nyoni in the Belarusian capital, Minsk.
"The third phase of this program [mechanization of Zimbabwean farms] will be implemented soon. It includes more than 3,000 tractors and 80 combine harvesters for local farmers over the next few years," the Belarusian minister said.
According to Rogozhnik, Belarus has been systematically developing relations with a number of African countries, including Zimbabwe, for many years. Minsk expects to reach a new level of cooperation with this state.
"Through joint efforts in the implementation of bilateral projects, we will be able to achieve high results and reach a new level of bilateral cooperation," the minister said.
He expressed confidence that the meeting of the ministers of the two countries on the eve of the next session of the Belarusian-Zimbabwean Intergovernmental Commission, which will be held in Harare, will further emphasize the issues of cooperation development.
Rogozhnik recalled that more than 1,800 tractors and about 80 combine harvesters have already been delivered to Zimbabwean farms under the agricultural mechanization program, which has helped to ensure food security in the country.
He also considered the implementation and modernization of Belarusian grain drying complexes, supplies of forestry equipment and quarry machinery as promising areas of cooperation. The minister noted that these areas of cooperation are being actively developed.
Dr. Nyoni, for her part, confirmed the mutual interest in further expanding the practical cooperation and creating a solid basis for a long-term partnership.