The Republic of Belarus

BelarusEastern Europe
-1:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country

General Information

National Identity
Official Language(s)Belarusian, Russian
National CurrencyBelarusian Ruble (BYN)
National Day(s)3 July (Day of the Republic)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalMinsk
Economic CapitalMinsk
Cultural CapitalIvanovo
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 5 – 5.5 h Direct flights
Primary AirportMinsk National Airport (MSQ)
Primary PortPort of Brest (maritime hub for direct access to European markets)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the CoastlineNone (landlocked country)
Highest PointDzyarzhynskaya Hara (345 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverDnieper River (largest river, shared with Russia and Ukraine)
ClimateTransitional between continental and maritime

Border Countries

RussiaUkrainePolandLithuaniaLatvia
5

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Key Facts

Vyshyvanka embroidery patterns appear on the state flag in a red ornamental strip; one of the few national flags to carry a folk textile design.

BelAZ builds some of the world’s largest dump trucks, including a 450-tonne-capacity model that has held a world record.

Belarus is one of the world’s leading producers of potash through Belaruskali, one of the largest producers globally.

Belarus has more than 10,000 lakes, earning it the nickname “The Blue-Eyed Country.”

The Hi-Tech Park in Minsk made Belarus a notable IT exporter. World of Tanks, made by Wargaming, and the original Viber were developed by Belarusian teams.

The National Library of Belarus is famous for its unique diamond-shaped building. Well-known Belarusian architect Georgy Lavrov came up with an unusual design that embodies a mathematical system of coordinates.

Belarus’s decorative paper-cutting tradition, vytsinanka, joined UNESCO’s intangible heritage list in 2024.

Traditional pawuks are elaborate hanging geometric structures made from straw, believed to protect homes from misfortune and disease.

Belarus has one of the highest levels of tertiary education enrollment in Eastern Europe.

The agreement dissolving the Soviet Union was signed in Belarus at Viskuli in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, on 8 December 1991.

Belarus has a long tradition of growing flax to make linen textiles. Flax flowers even appear on its national emblem.

Belarus celebrates Kupalle, a traditional midsummer festival featuring bonfires, singing, wreath-making and a symbolic search for the mythical “fern flower.” It is commonly celebrated on the night of 6–7 July.

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Economic Overview

Macroeconomic Snapshot

GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-

Economic Comparison

IndicatorBelarusUAEBelarusUAE
GDP, current pricesUSD Billions--
GDP, PPPCurrent int$--
Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%)--
GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita--
PopulationMillions of people--
Unemployment rate% of total labor force--
Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%)--
General government gross debt% of GDP--
Income levelWorld Bank classification--

Foreign Trade

No data available for this section yet.

Political Overview

Leadership

Head of State

H.E. Alexander Lukashenko

Since July 1994

Head of Government

H.E. Alexander Turchin

Since March 2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs

H.E. Maxim Ryzhenkov

Since June 2024

Minister of Finance

H.E. Vladislav Tatarinovich

Since January 2026

Minister of Trade

H.E. Alexander Yakovchits

Since September 2026

Minister of Economy

H.E. Yuri Chebotar

Since January 2024

Minister of Defense

H.E. Lt. Gen. Viktor Khrenin

Since January 2020

Political Summary

Political System

Presidential Republic

The President is head of state with extensive powers; he appoints the Prime Minister with the consent of the lower house, appoints most ministers and judges directly, and can issue decrees with the force of law.

Ruling Party

No formal ruling party; political system dominated by the presidency. The dominant pro-government party is Belaya Rus, registered as a political party in 2023.

Main Opposition Force(s)

No legal opposition operates inside Belarus; opposition parties were deregistered in 2023. The principal opposition structures are in exile, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who contested the 2020 election and heads the United Transitional Cabinet, together with the Coordination Council.

Next Presidential Election

Expected in 2030

Next Legislative Election

2029

Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research

Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs

45Organizations
27Member
3Founding Member
4Partner, Observer or Participant
11Not a Member

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations

Competitiveness Indexes

IndexYearRank Out ofBelarusUAE

No index matches.

Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic Relations and Representation

Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations20 Oct 199234 years of relations
H.E. Ibrahim Salim Al Musharrakh
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Ibrahim Salim Al MusharrakhUAE Ambassador to Belarus · Resident
H.E. Igor Bely
Foreign Ambassador
H.E. Igor BelyAmbassador of Belarus to the UAE · Resident

Last Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research

Consular Information

Tourists
Residents
Students
Golden Visa Holders
Belarus Nationalsin the UAE
----
UAE Citizensin Belarus
----

Main Agreements and MoUs

Agreement / MOUStatusNotes
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Ratified
Economic Partnership Agreement was signed with EAEU on 27 Jun 2025.Economic Partnership Agreement was ratified with EAEU on 13 Jul 2026.Belarus has been a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) since Jan 2015.
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 20 May 2016.Ratified on 1 Jan 2017.
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 20 May 2016.Ratified on 1 Jan 2017.
ASAAir Services Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 12 Mar 2014.Ratified on 15 Jan 2015.
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research

UAE Foreign Assistance

UAE Aid to BelarusTotal Amount
Amount (USD Mn)-

Bilateral Visits

Official Visits from the UAE

  • H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign Trade
    Jun2026
  • H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi
    Jun2025
  • H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International Cooperation
    Jun2025
  • H.E. Ahmed Ali Al SayeghMinister of State
    Jun2025
  • H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign Trade
    May2025
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi
    Sep2019
  • H.E. Dr. Anwar Mohammed GargashMinister of State for Foreign Affairs
    Dec2016

Official Visits to the UAE

  • H.E. Viktor LukashenkoSpecial Envoy of the President of Belarus to the Middle East
    Apr2026
  • H.E. Viktor LukashenkoSpecial Envoy of the President of Belarus to the Middle East
    Jan2026
  • H.E. Yulia ShapkinaDeputy Minister of Communications and Informatisation of Belarus
    Oct2025
  • H.E. Dmitry PantusChairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee of Belarus
    Feb2025
  • H.E. Alexander LukashenkoPresident of Belarus
    Dec2024
  • H.E. Ivan KubrakovMinister of Internal Affairs of Belarus
    Mar2024
  • H.E. Alexander LukashenkoPresident of Belarus
    Dec2023
  • H.E. Dmitry PantusChairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee of Belarus
    Nov2023
  • H.E. Viktor KhreninMinister of Defense of Belarus
    Nov2023
  • H.E. Ivan KubrakovMinister of Internal Affairs of Belarus
    Oct2023
  • H.E. Dmitry PantusChairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee of Belarus
    Jun2023
  • H.E. Dmitry PantusChairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee of Belarus
    Feb2023
  • H.E. Alexander LukashenkoPresident of Belarus
    Feb2023
  • H.E. Roman GolovchenkoPrime Minister of Belarus
    May2022
  • H.E. Roman GolovchenkoPrime Minister of Belarus
    Mar2022
  • H.E. Roman GolovchenkoPrime Minister of Belarus
    Nov2021
  • H.E. Alexander LukashenkoPresident of Belarus
    Nov2019
  • H.E. Alexander LukashenkoPresident of Belarus
    Nov2017
  • H.E. Alexander LukashenkoPresident of Belarus
    Nov2016
  • H.E. Alexander LukashenkoPresident of Belarus
    Mar2007
  • H.E. Alexander LukashenkoPresident of Belarus
    Mar2000

The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

Trade

Non-Oil Bilateral Trade

-

Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners

-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports

Key Trade Commodities

-

Foreign Direct Investment Flows

FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)-
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)2.4USD Millions

Capex and jobs data include estimated values.

Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets

Major Companies and Investments

Major Belarusian Companies in the UAE

  • BelmetSteel DMCCBelmetSteel DMCCMetallurgy

Major UAE Companies in Belarus

  • Mubadala Investment CompanyMubadala Investment Company-
  • DP WorldDP World-
  • MasdarMasdar-

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

Business Support

UAE-Belarus Joint Business Council

Joint Business Council(s)Established in 2014; last meeting held in December 2016

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers

Cooperation Opportunities

Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research