The legal framework in the field of investment is upgrading. In 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the National Investment and Privatization Agency of the Republic of Belarus and the National Investment Promotion Agency of India. On sidelines of the 9thmeeting of the Belarusian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Minsk in September 2018, an Agreement on Investments was signed between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of India.

Cooperation in pharmaceutical field is developing dynamically. A number of joint projects in this area are being implemented in Belarus with the involvement of capital and technologies of such Indian companies as “Cipla”“Lok-Beta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.”, “NatcoPharma”, “Hetero”. For example, company “Cipla” together with the Belarusian partner participates in the construction of a Joint Scientific and Technological Center for the full cycle of production of new drugs in Minsk. The Indian company transferred the first tranche to the development of this project.

What is the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries and the major items that are imported and exported?

In 2018, the volume of Belarusian-Indian trade amounted to over $ 470 million, including Belarusian exports of $ 300 million. Belarus is the largest supplier of potash fertilizers to India. In 2018, large capacity mining dump trucks, commercial cargo trucks, metalworking machines, linen fabrics, newsprint, petroleum products, wood products, and other Belarusian goods were exported to the Indian market. For its part, the Republic of Belarus imports such Indian goods as medicines, seafood, numerous chemical products, rice, coffee, tea and many other. In 2018, Belarus and India provided services to each other in the amount of over $ 62 million dollars. The predominant share belongs to transport services. Kindly elaborate on cooperation in science and technology, and in culture.