Business Meeting in Honour of H E Gennady Novi, Hon'ble Prime-Minister of Belarus
November 27, 2002, New Delhi

Welcome Address By Mr. R.S.Lodha, President, FICCI

H E Mr Gennady Novitsky, Prime Minister, Belarus

Distinguished members of the visiting delegation

Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of FICCI, I feel honoured and privileged to welcome you, Your Excellency on your first state visit to India.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have with us today an extra-ordinary personality. Let me sum up the outstanding political career of His Excellency in a few words. A Civil Engineer by profession, he rose from the rank of a foreman to Chairman, Mogilev Province Rural Construction trust to Minister of Architecture and Construction and now, the highest post in the country, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus.

Sir, we consider your visit an important milestone in our bilateral relations. The visit is all the more significant as it is taking place in the year that also marks the Tenth Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Friends, in the pre-1991 period, the nickname of the Belarussian SSR was "the Western Gate of the Soviet Union". This aptly reflects the country's geo-strategic significance. Belarus suffered heavy losses in the Chernobyl disaster. Over 70% of the radiation from the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster landed on the Belarussia territory. However, Belarus as a nation today has emerged stronger from these catastrophes. Excellency, we salute the resilience and determination of the people of your country.

Relations between India and Belarus have traditionally been warm, close and friendly. The goodwill and esteem for India among the people in the former Soviet Union still exists in Belarus.

Your Excellency, India was one of the first countries to recognise Belarus as an independent country. I believe that we have a common interest in promoting closer ties. The economic reform now underway in both our countries provides new challenges and opportunities for further expansion of our economic and commercial ties.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that Indo-Belarus relations today encompass several important areas. The bilateral relationship during the past ten years has strengthened in the political, economical, cultural, scientific and technological fields.

For a number of years, the vast potential for enhancing this cooperation could not fructify. Currently, India-Belarus economic cooperation falls far below its potential. The bilateral trade between was only around US $ 7 million in 2001-2002. This is indeed very small. We have tremendous scope for diversifying our trade basket. India can export an entire range of industrial and consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, tea, coffee etc. Belarus on its part can cooperate in heavy engineering and machine tool industry.

Your Excellency, I would like to mention here that in order to promote economic and commercial relations between India and Belarus, FICCI has already signed a Joint Business agreement with Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in December 1998. FICCI was also part of the official team which visited Minsk this month for the Inter-Session Consultations of the Government Commission.

Based on the economic strengths and requirements of the two countries, FICCI has also identified certain areas for collaboration which include:

• Pharmaceuticals
  
• High precision Industry
  
• Electronics
  
• Consumer goods
  
• Textile fibers etc.

Excellency, a thriving economic and business relationship between our rapidly emerging markets is a critical necessity for a multi-polar world. FICCI, from the side of Indian business, assure you of its unambiguous support.

As we globalize, our business seeks stronger partnership with Belarus that will propel our economies to their rightful place in the international economic order. I am confident, Your Excellency, that this visit to India will give a new impetus to economic co-operation and to our bilateral trade. With these words, Excellency, may I once again extend to you and all the members of your delegation a very hearty welcome.

Spasiba (Thank You)