Prime minister says SCO countries account for over 70 percent of Belarus’ trade

October 26, Pozirk. Only joint efforts by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states can help to “weaken the dominance of the West” in economy and finances and mitigate the negative effects of sanctions, Belarusian Prime Minister Raman Hałoŭčanka has told the SCO Heads of Government Council.

Exports exceed 60 percent of Belarusian GDP, while the SCO states account for over 70 percent of Belarus’ trade, he noted.

“The SCO is one of the few international organizations that actually respect the principles of equality and non-interference in the affairs of states and advocate sustainable economic development of the region,” he said.

Belarus expects to join it as a full member “in the very near future,” Hałoŭčanka added.

Alaksandar Łukašenka’s administration is trying to use the SCO and BRICS as a diplomatic vehicle to break through isolation and mitigate sanctions, according to pundit Roza Turarbiekava.

Minsk hopes that these regional and global organizations will offer it financial aid and access to investment and technology, she stressed, noting that authorities also seek another point of support in case of Russia’s collapse.

Established in 2001, the SCO comprises China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Belarus has been the SCO’s partner since 2010 and an observer since 2015. Minsk applied for SCO membership in July 2022.

BRICS was formed in 2009 as an informal platform to oppose the Western-dominated world order. The founders were Brazil, China, India and Russia, with South Africa joining in 2010. These countries account for more than 40 percent of the world’s population and a quarter of the world’s economy.

Łukašenka sent BRICS leaders a request to join the club in May, according to the foreign ministry.