DUSHANBE, February 2, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- State and prospects of further expansion of trade and economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Belarus were discussed in Minsk yesterday at a meeting of Qozidavlat Qoimdodov, Ambassador to Tajikistan to Belarus, with Mikhail Rusyi, Minister of Agriculture of Food of Belarus also cochairman of the Tajik-Belarusian Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Tajik MFA information department reports.

The two, in particular, considered the process of implementation of agreements that were reached during Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Belarus in October 2011.

Qoimdodov and Rusyi noted that despite increase in trade between the two countries there was still considerable room for expansion of economic ties.

Launching joint ventures in Tajikistan for assembling agricultural machines and tractors and processing farm produce was also among major topics of the meeting.

The sides also considered issues related to training of Tajik students at higher educational institutions in Belarus, the source added.

According to data of the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, trade between Tajikistan and Belarus in 2011 valued at 66.958 million U.S. dollars, including Tajikistan’s exports to Belarus estimated at 11.458 million U.S. dollars and Tajikistan’s imports from Belarus worth 55.5 million U.S. dollars.