Food, fruits: Belarus agrees to promote online B2B trade

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Belarus on Wednesday agreed to facilitate organisations in promoting online business-to-business (B2B) trade in seafood, citrus fruits, mangoes, fruit puree, potatoes, seeds and dairy products.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain held a meeting with Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of Belarus Yakovchits Aleksander, during which the two sides agreed to facilitate the online B2B sessions to link businesses from both countries, promote bilateral trade and strengthen commercial linkages.

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Both sides also agreed to promote the participation of enterprises and relevant stakeholders from the two countries in food exhibitions and agricultural trade fairs organised in both countries, which will allow the organisations to display their products, develop partnerships and enhance bilateral agricultural trade.

The two sides further agreed to facilitate reciprocal visits by trade and business delegations in the agriculture sector to promote partnerships, investment opportunities and the exchange of expertise.

The meeting also explored opportunities for cooperation in fish farming, with both sides agreeing to promote the exchange of knowledge, technology and best practices.

The initiative would contribute to the development of modern aquaculture practices and create new opportunities for cooperation in the fisheries sector.

Rana Tanveer Hussain proposed establishing a universal agricultural machinery testing facility or centre at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), with financial and technical support from Belarus. The Belarusian side took note of the proposal.

It was agreed that a detailed assessment would be undertaken to evaluate the proposed facility, including the preparation of a list of necessary equipment and an assessment of the suitability of sites proposed by the Pakistani side for establishing machinery testing stations.

In this regard, both sides agreed to facilitate exchange visits by groups of highly qualified technical experts by the end of 2026.

Hussain stressed the importance of translating bilateral cooperation into concrete commercial, technological and institutional outcomes.

He said Pakistan was keen to expand its engagement with Belarus in emerging areas of agriculture and food security while creating greater opportunities for businesses, farmers, investors and technical experts.

The Federal Minister and the Belarusian side expressed satisfaction over the growing cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026