Opinions & Interviews

Belarus wants to see more investment from UK

MINSK, 8 August (BelTA) - We would like to see more investors from the UK, including in pharmaceutics, mechanical engineering, and power engineering, Chairman of the House of representatives Vladimir Andreichenko said as he met with outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Fionna Gibb in Minsk on 8 August, BelTA has learned.

British business ranks in the top three investors in the Belarusian economy. As of today the investment portfolio is pretty big. “But we would like to see more investors in pharmaceutics, mechanical engineering, and power engineering,” Vladimir Andreichenko said.

He emphasized that the country has created favorable conditions for investment, including at the legislative level. Investment cooperation is among the country’s priorities. “This means jobs, higher living standards and wages,” the speaker said.

Belarus would like to develop cooperation in education, humanitarian affairs too. For example, British non-governmental organizations have contributed to the rehabilitation of the Chernobyl-affected territories in Belarus. Since 2010 the UK has hosted more than 8,000 children for recuperation. “It is important to develop cooperation in these avenues,” Vladimir Andreichenko said.

British Ambassador Fiona Gibb assumed office in Belarus in 2016. For the past three years great progress has been made in the development of relations between the two countries, said Vladimir Andreichenko. He thanked the diplomat for her productive work in Belarus and wished her success in the new job.

The Ambassador also highlighted the positive dynamics of bilateral relations over the past few years. According to her, the interest in doing business in Belarus has been growing in the UK. She recalled the important visits that the countries have exchanged. For example Belarus Prime Minister Sergei Rumas visited London in June 2019. “Most likely, there will be another visit, in the autumn,” Ambassador Fiona Gibb informed.

The diplomat said that the British embassies from the countries participating in the Eastern Partnership initiative are working to arrange a road show in November. Every embassy will invite two or three companies for meetings with potential British partners. “Most likely, we will focus on agriculture, information technology and public health,” the Ambassador said.

Work is underway to organize a visit of a delegation of the Belarusian Economy Ministry to the UK to explore the British experience in supporting small and medium sized enterprises.

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