Ivan Smilgin: Azerbaijan-Belarus agricultural trade grows 55%

The volume of mutual trade in agricultural products between Azerbaijan and Belarus in the eight months of this year increased by 55% compared to the same period a year earlier, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus and Director of the Department of Veterinary and Food Supervision Ivan Smilgin told Report.

According to him, over the past five years, this indicator has demonstrated a twofold growth.

As the deputy minister noted, the relevant departments of both countries are in close cooperation and demonstrate a high level of professional interaction.

"Today, our services are working in close contact with each other, and no problematic issues arise. The Belarusian side supplies mainly dairy and meat products to Azerbaijan. In turn, fruit, vegetable, and melon products, fruits, berries, and potatoes are imported from Azerbaijan. We do not compete, but complement each other," Smilgin noted.

The deputy minister focused attention on the fact that the recent business forum was aimed at giving a new impetus to trade and economic partnership and contributing to strengthening the food security of both states.

Answering a question regarding the digitalization of control mechanisms, Smilgin said that specialized structures of Azerbaijan and Belarus actively cooperate in the identification, registration, and traceability of animals.

"The next step will be precisely the phase of data exchange and the transition to our information systems," the deputy minister added.