Ambassador of Belarus to Zimbabwe gave an interview to Star FM Radio Station

On September 14, 2026, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Zimbabwe, Yury Nikalaichyk, gave an extensive interview to the leading Zimbabwean radio station Star FM.
In a conversation with radio host Linda Muriro, the head of the diplomatic mission detailed the current state and strategic prospects of bilateral interaction, addressing key issues on the trade, economic, and technological agenda.
The Ambassador emphasized that the primary guide for cooperation in the near term is the Roadmap for Strategic Cooperation and Partnership for 2026–2030, signed during the state visit of the President of Zimbabwe, H.E. Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, to Belarus in May 2025. The document comprises 12 functional clusters aimed at achieving tangible economic results and fulfilling the goal set by the two heads of state: reaching a bilateral trade turnover of 100 million USD by 2030.
It was noted that about 3,000 units of Belarusian agricultural machinery are already successfully operating under the joint Zimbabwe Agricultural Mechanisation Programme. The authorized dealer ensures the supply of spare parts, organization of maintenance services, and comprehensive training for local farmers.

The audience was informed about the industrial, agricultural, and technological potential of Belarus. The Ambassador confirmed Belarus's readiness to expand cooperation across various agricultural sectors, including the supply of fertilizers, veterinary pharmaceuticals, agricultural drones, as well as grain drying and storage equipment.
Special emphasis was placed on transitioning from direct imports to creating value-added chains. In this context, the launch of a joint project for the assembly of intercity buses in Zimbabwe is of particular importance. The success of this initiative is expected to pave the way for other manufacturing projects oriented toward the domestic market and the wider SADC region.
The head of the mission stated Belarus's readiness to implement concrete mechanisms for integrating high-tech solutions into the Zimbabwean economy. The most promising areas include artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, digital agriculture, fintech, e-commerce, and smart manufacturing technologies.
The interview highlighted the ongoing efforts of both governments to build a solid legal foundation for economic ties. The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement has already entered into force. Agreements on the mutual protection of investments and on legal assistance in civil and commercial matters are currently undergoing parliamentary ratification, negotiations on a customs cooperation instrument have been finalized. The parties are implementing a set of measures to further simplify bilateral trade, including the practical assessment of a preferential trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Zimbabwe.
Yury Nikalaichyk stressed that the implementation of the Roadmap is a dynamic process focused on practical outcomes. He shared information regarding the results of the second round of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, which took place in Minsk on September 14, 2026, where the parties substantively discussed the execution of the Roadmap projects.
The Ambassador answered live questions from the radio listeners.

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