Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 18 February (BelTA) – EBRD shareholders hail Belarus’ peacekeeping efforts for settling the conflict in Ukraine, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Suma Chakrabarti told reporters on 18 February, BelTA has learned.

The EBRD President took note of the important role Belarusian President and government played in a complicated process of negotiations to de-escalate tension in the region. “The efforts Belarus have been taking merit commendation,” he said.

Suma Chakrabarti’s two-day visit to Belarus completed on 18 February. The EBRD President visited the Swedish-Belarusian electric transport factory Stadler Minsk in Fanipol, Minsk Oblast. The EBRD takes part in financing the project. Besides, the EBRD President held a number of meetings with the country’s top officials, diplomats and representatives of public associations.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was created in 1991. It is the largest investor in the region. Apart from using its own funds the EBRD channels considerable volumes of foreign direct investments. EBRD investments are aimed at fostering structural and industry-wide reforms, the development of competition, privatization and entrepreneurship. EBRD money is used to enhance financial organizations and legal systems, develop the infrastructure necessary to support the private sector, and introduce a reliable corporate management system for the purpose of dealing with environmental protection problems among other things.

Belarus became an EBRD member in 1992. For the last few years Belarus-EBRD cooperation has been steadily advancing.