MINSK - Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen was received by Belorussian Premier Sergei Sidorsky in Minsk on Thursday.
Sidorsky said, ''foreign trade volume between two countries increased by 40 percent last year, however this does not reflect the real potential. Necessary legal framework was established to develop commercial relations between our two countries. This will provide development of relations in a more dynamic way. Our commercial relations will develop more quickly in 2005.''
On the other hand, Tuzmen said, ''we signed two agreements at Agriculture Ministry. Legal ground has been completed to a large extent for an increase in trade volume between our two countries. After this, we should sign agreements in transportation, customs and other areas to strengthen the ground.''
The meeting was then closed to press. Officials conveyed problems that Turkish firms face to Sidorsky during the meeting.
Tuzmen will depart for Turkey after his meeting with Sidorsky.
Meanwhile, Turkish-Belorussian Business Council released a statement and said, ''obstacles before increase in commercial and economic relations between two countries were determined. Officials of two countries have started to take necessary steps to develop these relations. One of the example of these steps is the agreement which envisages reduction in customs duties on Turkish products, and the other one is the meeting of Turkish-Belorussian Business Council and Trade Delegation which was held between March 1st and 3rd in Belarus.''
State Minister Tuzmen held bilateral meetings with more than 300 Belorussian businessmen in Minsk, added the statement.
''During the visit, it was seen that Turkish textile and food products which were transferred to Belorussian market through neighboring countries can be exported to that country directly. If investments are made in Belarus, it will be possible to reach a market worth of 200 million U.S. dollars,'' noted the statement.
The statement said, ''cooperation can be made in areas of production of household appliances, furniture, automotive and by-industry, food processing, energy, telecommunication, chemical and organic fertilizer, technology and optical equipment.''