“During the meeting with the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment last week we agreed on an inspection of Belarusian companies in the first half of the year for possible supplies of poultry and beef to the Arab market. Usually the certification of companies takes some 4-5 months, so we hope to launch our exports in late 2017,” he explained.

BelTA reports that Mr Bogdanov noted that the preliminary work had been conducted to prepare for the visit of UAE inspectors to Belarus.

“The Department of Veterinary Inspection has sent the necessary documents to the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Belarusian companies have Halal certificates and are ready to fulfill additional requirements of the UAE,” he stressed.

In December 2016 Belarus' Agriculture and Food Ministry hosted a seminar for Belarusian meat factories on the production of meat under Halal requirements for the UAE market. The seminar was initiated by the UAE company RACS.

“At present the Agriculture and Food Ministry is working on the list of meat processing companies and poultry farms ready to meet the Halal standards of the UAE and other countries of the Persian Gulf,” Mr Bogdanov said.

Mr Bogdanov added that last week 14 Belarusian companies took part in the international exhibition Gulfood 2017 in Dubai, the UAE.

“The Agriculture and Food Ministry organized a national stand with the total area of 100 square meters to feature meat, milk, bakery and confectionery products. The participation in the exhibition is important for export diversification as it gathers together traders and processers from around the world, including Southeast Asia, Africa and the countries of the Persian Gulf,” he said.

Gulfood is one of the world's biggest food expos, which annually attracts a big number of international participants.