FIFTH MEETING OF BELARUS-AZERBAIJAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION HELD IN MINSK

Baku, May 6 (AzerTAc). The fifth meeting of Belarus-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Minsk.
Addressing the meeting participants, Belarus Deputy Premier Andrey Kobyakov underlined that trade and economic relations between the two countries were dynamically developing. The commodity turnover between the two countries increased 7-fold to 100 mln dollars in 2008 over the past five years.
Azerbaijan`s First Deputy Premier Yagub Eyyubov noted that development of the non-oil sector is one of the main priorities of the government.
Mr. Eyyubov emphasized that Belarus is strategic partnership of Azerbaijan adding that despite of financial crisis, Azerbaijan`s economy was rapidly developing. If in 2003 commodity turnover between the two countries was 10 mln dollars, this figure increased 10-fold over the past five years. GDP in Azerbaijan increased by 4.1 per cent, while non-oil sector by 14 per cent at the first quarter of 2009. Relations of friendship between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Belarus play an important role in development of the two countries` ties.
The fifth meeting ended with signing of the protocol on trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.