Tehran, Minsk to launch joint ventures

TEHRAN,Feb.12(MNA)--Iran and Belarus have called expanding industrial and trade relations by launching joint investment projects. During the two countries 11th economic committee meeting in Minsk on Friday, the Iranian Industry, Mine and Trade Mehdi Ghazanfari and Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich discussed ways to broaden bilateral economic ties. In November 2011, Iran's commercial attaché in Minsk Akbar Baqerilouyeh said that the 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 period. The official added that the Islamic Republic is now implementing about 100 projects in Belarus, including a cement factory, a hotel, and a trade center.