Opinions & Interviews

“We can state that Belarus has conditions for dynamic development of business to suit every taste. As we say, just come and work,” Andrei Kobyakov noted.

Belarus offers competitive tax rates and a range of preferential regimes to foreign partners. Investors get additional opportunities for reducing costs and the tax burden when they choose to set up a business in small and medium-sized Belarusian towns.

Andrei Kobyakov pointed out that at present there are six free economic zones in Belarus. “Besides, we have the Hi-Tech Park whose residents develop IT and software solutions, many of which are used by those who take part in today’s meeting,” the official stressed. The project to build the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park Great Stone is also underway.

“Belarus has considerable economic potential. A stable industrial base coupled with a favorable economic situation can help the country become a link between the East and the West,” Andrei Kobyakov believes.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the strong Belarusian-Georgian contacts established in different fields in 2015 attest to a high level of mutual interest. “However, there is still much work to do to develop extensive cooperation that would match the potential of the two countries,” Andrei Kobyakov said.

“I hope that today’s forum will provide an opportunity to get to know each other better, find points of contact, and sign contracts,” the Prime Minister pointed out.

In 2015, the trade between Belarus and Georgia totaled $44.9 million, 69.9% as against 2014. Exports stood at $22.4 million (96.8%), with imports at $22.5 million (54.8%). Belarus had a foreign trade deficit of $112,000.

In 2015 Belarus’ major exports were tobacco, medicines, wooden sleepers, timber, furniture, milk, dry and concentrated cream, tires, electrical transformers, mixed mineral fertilizers, tractors and trucks, pumps, woodworking products.

Belarus imported nuts, vegetables, mineral water, grape wine, hard drinks, ferrous alloys, and oil products.

In January 2016, the trade between the two countries totaled $2,624,900, up by 8.7% from the same period of 2015. Exports increased by 33%, while imports dropped by 20%. Belarus had a foreign trade surplus of $853,300.