Address of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko at Global Trade in Services Summit in Beijing

President Xi Jinping,

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

Over the years of strong friendship between Belarus and China we have time and again seen that Beijing has been pursuing a consistent policy aimed at uniting many states within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative on the principles of honest, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The challenges related to the pandemic and other global threats have only made this cooperation stronger.

Holding the international fair in this complicated time is a very important and symbolic step of the People’s Republic of China.

Closed borders, tourism decline, the disruption of logistics chains and higher protectionism, colossal pressure on the healthcare system, the cancellation of international cultural events have become an unprecedented test for the services market.

At the same time, the crisis has spurred the development of digital technologies and gave a certain impetus to the quality transformation of the traditional services sector.

In this context we are impressed by China’s advanced experience in the development and application of distant learning services, online healthcare and diagnostics and treatment methods, digital technologies in tourism.

Belarus is committed to promoting export and import of services. We hope to expand cooperation in the services sector with China, one of Belarus’ key partners.

We prioritize joint efforts of the states to further liberalize trade in services, to eliminate barriers, and to attract investments.

In recent years we have been witnessing a robust growth of global electronic commerce, including transboundary commerce, which soars by 50% every year.

This instrument has become an efficient resource for the restoration of economic growth. Belarus seeks to access Chinese online platforms to promote goods and services in education, tourism, medicine.

Coronavirus has caused enormous damage to the tourism industry. We must step up efforts to increase the volume of tourism services.

All of us have had to deal with a global “logistical collapse”. Thanks to the unique geographical location of Belarus, our transport infrastructure has been vigorously used as a reliable Belt and Road transit corridor. In the period from 2014 to 2020 the volume of railway container transportation on the China-Europe-China route went up 14 times. The Republic of Belarus will continue doing its best to ensure the continuous development of this route.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that we will continue making our contribution to the speedy recovery of the global economy. We will continue to promote versatile and mutually beneficial international cooperation in the services sector in the best interests of our countries and peoples.

I would like to wish the organizers of the event every success. I also wish the participants of the forum productive work.

Thank you for the attention.