Iran, Belarus seek ways to bolster trade ties

TEHRAN,Feb.9(MNA)--An Iranian trade delegation, led by the industry, mine and trade minister, arrived in Belarus on Tuesday to explore ways to develop bilateral ties between the two countries. Mehdi Ghazanfari is due to meet the Eastern European country's president and prime minister, as well as foreign and industry ministers, during his five-day visit. On November 2011, Press TV quoted Iran's commercial attaché to Minsk, Akbar Baqerilouyeh, as saying that Tehran-Minsk trade hit $54.28 billion in the first six months of 2011. He added that the export of Iranian products and services to Belarus stood at $29.79 billion, and the volume of imports from the Eastern European country reached $24.49 billion during the same period. Baqerilouyeh said that the Islamic Republic is now developing some 100 projects in Belarus, including a cement factory, a hotel, and a trade center.