DUSHANBE, February 15, 2010, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan and Belarus have signed a protocol of cooperation in the fields of energy and industry, according to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI).

Tajik Minister of Energy and Industries, Gul Sherali, and Belarus Deputy Minister of Industry, Gennady Svidersky, signed the document in Dushanbe on February 12.

Under the protocol, joint ventures for producing powerful transformers, aluminum and cotton products are expected to be launched in Tajikistan.  Besides, the sides also plan to launch a joint venture for assembling MTZ tractors here, the source at a MoEI said, noting that the document also provides for participation of Belarusian companies in construction of hydropower facilities in Tajikistan.

As it had been reported earlier, a delegation of Belarusian entrepreneurs, led by Deputy Minister of Industry, Gennady Svidersky, visited Dushanbe on February 10-12.  The delegation embers included 16 entrepreneurs and top managers of Belarusian large enterprises, including BelAZ, MAZ, Amkodor, Lidselmash, Orshaafroprommash, Lidakhlenprodukt, Lidaagroprommash and Belagromash.

During their stay in Dushanbe, Belarusian entrepreneurs held talks with senior representatives from a number of Tajik ministries and organizations to discuss ways of further expansion of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.