Belarus eyes enhanced trade, investment ties with Cambodia

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (R) holds talks with visiting Chairman of the

Belarus Parliament Vladimir Andreichenko at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh,

Cambodia, Feb. 11, 2013. (Xinhua/Sovannara).

Belarus announced its firm stance to promote bilateral cooperation with Cambodia

in trade, investment and tourism for mutual benefits, Vladimir Andreichenko,

Chairman of the Belarus Parliament, said Monday.

Speaking in a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace

Palace in capital Phnom Penh, Andreichenko said his visit to Cambodia was to

promote bilateral ties between the two countries' legislative bodies and start

boosting economic, trade, investment, and tourism ties with Cambodia.

He expressed Belarus's desire to operate a direct flight to Cambodia.

Meanwhile, he invited the premier to visit Belarus sometime this year.

In response, Hun Sen accepted the invitation and said he would set an

appropriate time to visit the East European country.

He said the two countries should discuss and sign an agreement on

investment protection to promote bilateral cooperation in economy, trade and

investment.

He suggested that the two countries create a joint Cambodian- Belarusian

inter-governmental committee in order to facilitate every relation and

negotiation.

Later in the day, the two countries' chambers of commerce inked a

cooperation agreement.

The deal was signed by Cambodian Chamber of Commerce vice- president

Sorn Sokna and Belarusian Chamber of Commerce president Mikhail Myatlikov.

"The agreement is to promote trade relations between the two countries

and to assist both sides' enterprises in developing business relations and

strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation," Sorn Sokna said.

Mikhail Myatlikov said Belarus is seeking Cambodian market for its main

products including tractors, heavy machinery, and chemical fertilizers. In

return, Belarus will purchase rice, rubber latex, garments, fish and tobacco

from Cambodia.

Andreichenko, accompanied by a group of officials and businessmen,

arrived in Phnom Penh on Sunday for a four-day visit. During the stay, he is

also scheduled to visit the on-going construction of a tractor assembly plant on

the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

The plant is invested by Belarus-based Minsk Tractor Works, one of the

world's biggest tractor producers.