Islamabad: Pakistan and Belarus are advancing their collaborative efforts in the realms of science, technology, standards, and Halal certification, following a high-level meeting in Islamabad. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi, alongside Ambassador of Belarus to Pakistan Andrei Metelitsa, discussed ongoing and future initiatives to bolster bilateral cooperation, focusing on joint research and quality infrastructure.
According to Press Information Department, the discussions centered around the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Commission on Science and Technology (JCST), which operates under the 2015 Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation. The meeting reviewed ongoing projects and explored new joint research proposals under the JCST framework.
Minister Magsi instructed the Pakistan Science Foundation to commence funding two new joint research projects with Belarus, ensuring structured implementation through a matching grant mechanism. These projects will include clear milestones and monitoring systems to facilitate effective progress.
The dialogue also covered collaboration between the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and the Belarusian State Institute for Standardization and Certification (BelGISS), aiming to streamline testing processes, reduce compliance costs, and eliminate non-tariff barriers, thereby improving market access.
In addition, discussions on Halal certification and agricultural market access were held, with Pakistan requesting a list of Belarusian products for Halal registration. The focus is on expediting technical assessments to enhance agricultural trade between the two nations.
An internal review by PSQCA and BelGISS is in progress to resolve financial and foreign-exchange fee structure challenges before finalizing a standards dissemination agreement. Ambassador Metelitsa expressed Belarus’s willingness to collaborate in science and technology, commending Pakistan’s advancements in communication and defense technology, and its efforts toward global and regional peace.
Minister Magsi emphasized the significance of strengthening practical cooperation with Belarus across various scientific and technological domains.