Egypt and Belarus will mark the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations in February next year.
On this occasion, the Egyptian Mail interviewed Belarusian Ambassador in Cairo, Sergei Terentiev, on relations between the two countries and how Minsk views Egypt’s economic reforms and its regional role.
Investment climate, reforms
Ambassador Terentiev believes the measures taken by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in recent years made Egypt wealthier, safer and more influential on the international arena.
“Important governmental initiatives and megaprojects, such as Decent Life, the New Administrative Capital, and projects for the development of rural areas are changing the lives of millions of people for the better,” Ambassador Terentiev said.
“Economic and social reform programmes implemented since 2016 and measures taken to confront the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic allowed Egypt to overcome related challenges in the best possible way.”
He said Egyptian authorities also work hard to adopt modern technologies, including by digitising all aspects of life.
Just recently, he said, a new electronic system for customs procedures for imports began working.
The ambassador expected the Nafeza platform to reduce the timing of customs clearance and make this process transparent and smooth.
“I am confident that Egyptian importers and foreign exporters will find this system convenient,” Ambassador Terentiev said. “This experience will be interesting for other countries.”
He noted that Egypt is becoming an interesting destination for investments, given the country’s potential in such significant spheres as gas and oil, electricity, renewable energy, transit, tourism, education, and agriculture.
Regional role
Due to its geographical importance and abundant resources, the Middle East often acts as a hotbed of instability and conflict, a place where the interests of various forces intersect, and an arena of global and regional confrontation.
Ambassador Terentiev believes such a region requires a mediator, an arbiter, a guarantor of peace and stability, and a regional force capable of creating conditions for dialogue and compromise solutions.
“I am convinced that Egypt is such a positive force,” he said.
“Egypt plays an active and a constructive diplomatic role in settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and stabilising Palestine, in particular the Gaza Strip,” he said.
Ambassador Terentiev also commended Egypt’s ‘balanced’ and ‘constructive’ position towards Libya.
He said the revival of functioning state institutions, the restoration of communications within the country, and propelling economic activities are vital for Libya.
“These are the spheres where Egyptian diplomacy is actively involved,” the ambassador said.
Economic co-operation
Ambassador Terentiev said economic co-operation between Egypt and Belarus develops well and has a great potential for increasing.
Though, the trade turnover between the two countries fell down in 2020 and 2021, the structure of this turnover has become more balanced.
Between January and August this year, trade between the two countries reached $45.1 million, demonstrating modest signs of recovery.
Belarusian exports amounted to $29.1 million, while Egyptian exports amounted to $16 million.
Belarus exports machinery, agricultural and construction equipment, engines and tires, high-tech products, as well as chemical goods to Egypt.
This year, Belarus tries to bring in meat, dairy and poultry products to the Egyptian market.
However, it needs to get Egyptian Halal (compatibility with Islamic law) certificates for that.
“Our companies are working on this right now,” the ambassador said.
Meanwhile, Egypt exports fruit, vegetables, clothes, and pharmaceutical products to Belarus.
The two countries have made some progress in industrial co-operation, one driven by agreements signed by President El-Sisi and President Alexander Lukashenko in 2017 and 2020.
The two countries now implement joint projects for the production of trucks, loaders and other machinery.
“Belarus is ready to expand co-operation with Egypt to create joint ventures in other areas,” Ambassador Terentiev said.
He especially referred to the joint production of spare parts for Belarusian equipment, including gas meters, as well as in the sphere of electricity and passenger transport.
Accessing African market
Belarus considers Egypt its gateway into Africa. This is why, Ambassador Terentiev said, it is interested in it as a reliable partner in widening co-operation with the continent.
He said one of the aims of joint projects between Belarus and the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production is to deliver joint products to the African market.
“So Belarusian and Egyptian companies work together to enhance the localisation of such production,” the ambassador said.
Belarus has already received certificates of 40%+ localisation level for five models of MAZ trucks, which are produced at the Helwan Machinery and Equipment Company.
This allows the trucks to be locally produced for other African countries.
“Egypt also supports trade interaction between Belarus and African countries,” Ambassador Terentiev said.
Tourism
The number of daily charter flights from Belarus to Hurghada and Sharm ElSheikh has been increased.
Ambassador Terentiev said his country closely monitors sanitary safety for its citizens.
“We negotiate the opening of other destinations that can significantly expand the geography of tourism to Egypt for Belarusians on our own initiative,” the ambassador said.
“We are talking about resuming direct flights between Cairo and Minsk,” he added.
