Business news

MINSK, 1 July (BelTA) – Representatives of associations of Belarusians from 18 countries support the proposal to hold the business forum of Belarusians living abroad in Minsk in 2016. Participants of the first session of the consultative council for the affairs of Belarusians abroad at the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs passed the joint declaration, BelTA learned from the Belarusian ministry.

“We confirm the interest in constant constructive dialogue with public administration and executive bodies of the Republic of Belarus, Belarusian organizations contacting with Belarusians abroad, associations and representatives of Belarusian business circles in order to use the potential of Belarusians living abroad and promote versatile trade, economic and investment cooperation of Belarus with other countries. We support the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hold the business forum of Belarusians living abroad in Minsk in 2016,” the declaration reads.

The expat community welcomes the passing of the law on the Belarusians living abroad in 2014, supports the principles, goads and guidelines of the national policy in relation to the Belarusians living abroad regarding the protection and preservation of the Belarusian ethnic and cultural space in the countries of residence, enhancement of ties and all-round partnership between the communities and Belarus. “It is worth saying that the Belarusians in the World program designed to run in 2013-2015 plays an important role in supporting cultural, information, language and other interests of Belarusians abroad. We ate interested in the implementation of this program after 2015,” the document reads.

Apart from that, the Belarusians living abroad urged Belarus to continue protecting rights and legal interests of the members of Belarusian communities in the countries of residence in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies and consulates. “We call for stepping up efforts of all interested sides to improve conditions to study the Belarusian language, national history an culture, modern Belarus abroad,” the participants of the session said.

Representatives of the expat community deem it necessary to continue the work to establish Belarusian cultural centers abroad and to create a single information portal about the Belarusians living abroad.