Belarus proposes to welcome 150,000 qualified Pakistani workers, says PM

MINSK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that Belarus has issued a generous invitation to over 150,000 young, skilled Pakistani workers to participate to Belarus’ nation-building efforts.

The prime minister called it a “gift” for the Pakistani people and expressed sincere thanks for the chance, emphasizing that this effort would not only boost the Belarusian economy but will also bring meaningful careers to Pakistani young.

“I assure you that the skilled Pakistani workforce, duly certified both by international standards and through national accreditation, will serve as a valuable asset to Belarus,” the prime minister stated during a joint news conference with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko.

The prime minister recalled Aleksandr Lukashenko’s visit to Pakistan in 2015-16, saying it established the groundwork for a long journey of friendship and collaboration in areas of common interest.

The prime minister stated that the government is interested in learning from Belarus’ expertise in a variety of fields, particularly agriculture.

“Pakistan is an agrarian country, and 65% of the population reside in rural areas. We need your expertise to increase our per-acre yield by utilizing the modern methodologies in the sector,” he said, adding that Pakistan needed to have joint ventures between Pakistan and Belarus companies. “The companies from both Pakistan and Belarus will have a win-win situation in this regard.” Prime Minister added.

The prime minister also highlighted Belarus’s competence in mining equipment manufacture, stating that Pakistan has mineral riches worth billions of dollars and that both nations could be excellent partners in this industry.

On the occasion, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed the importance of his country’s strong connections with Pakistan.

He stated that Belarus values its relations with Pakistan and hopes to further cooperation on numerous fronts.

President Lukashenko welcomed the Pakistani prime minister and emphasized the potential for further bilateral cooperation in a variety of sectors, including commerce, industry, agriculture, and technology.

He expressed confidence that the high-level interaction would pave the path for long-term strategic cooperation and mutual progress.

The president stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit will act as a spark for new areas of collaboration between the two countries. He emphasized the need of exploring untapped cooperation opportunities and building on current cordial relationships.