Ambassador Dmitry Mironchik visits Norway

On January 27-29, 2020 the Ambassador of Belarus to Sweden and Norway (concurrently), Dmitry Mironchik, visited Oslo for the consultations between the Foreign Ministries at deputy minister level and the Belarusian-Norwegian Business Breakfast. While in Norway, the head of the Belarusian diplomatic mission held a number of working meetings.

On January 27, Dmitry Mironchik met with Rune Rolfsen, the Chairman of the Oslo Chamber of Commerce. The parties discussed the development of the Belarusian-Norwegian trade and economic relations. They considered exchanging visits of business delegations of both countries, including the participation in major congress and exhibition events. The list of main international exhibitions to take place in Belarus in 2020 was passed to the Norwegian side for further informing of interested companies. Rune Rolfsen expressed interest in holding Belarusian-Norwegian business events at the Oslo Chamber of Commerce in 2020. 

Norwegian fish export to Belarus was considered by the Ambassador with Knut Rønningen, Chief Veterinary Officer at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, against the background of the Russian embargo on seafood products from Norwegian fish originating in the Eurasian Economic Union member-states. The Norwegian Side stressed the willingness to conduct a joint inspection by the Department of Veterinary and Food Supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Belarus and other EAEU member-states. The parties agreed to step up preparation of the inspection of the Norwegian fish processing enterprises.

Dmitry Mironchik assured the Chief Veterinary Officer that the diplomatic mission stands ready to assist veterinary authorities of both countries in negotiating and concluding a Memorandum of Cooperation. Such a document is expected to establish a mechanism of regular Belarusian-Norwegian consultations on veterinary issues, as well as to specify communication channels enabling prompt handling of technical questions regarding animal and vegetable products’ safety.

On January 29, Dmitry Mironchik met with Wenche Nistad, the Chief Executive Officer of the Norwegian Export Credit Guarantee Agency (GIEK). They discussed trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Norway, as well as the contribution of GIEK to its development. Wenche Nistad pointed out the Agency’s positive cooperation experience with Belarus and its participation in credit risks reinsurance regarding contracts for the supply of the Norwegian fish to our country. Ambassador Mironchik presented information regarding current social and economic developments in Belarus, as well as positive dynamics of Belarusian-Norwegian trade in 2019.

During the visit, a number of contacts were held with representatives of Norwegian organizations involved in the promotion of economic internationalization, including the Norwegian Seafood Council and the Norwegian Investment Fund for North-West Russia and Eastern Europe. Meetings with Norwegian business circles took place both on the sidelines of the Belarusian-Norwegian Business Breakfast and in bilateral format. Their agenda included filling the position of the general manager of the Minsk Tractor Works subsidiary in Norway, Belarus Norge A/S, as well as increasing Belarusian exports to the Norwegian market, including sales of agricultural machinery, metal products, animal feed, timber products, etc.

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