Opinions & Interviews

Peter Dettmar was taking part in the fifth international economic forum Innovations. Investments. Prospects that opened in Vitebsk on 12 May.

The Ambassador is convinced: “Belarus is a key member of the Eurasian Economic Union and could act as a bridge between German manufacturers and the huge market of the Eurasian Economic Union. Our countries enjoy solid relations across the board, including in economy, culture, and politics. Our contacts in the area of culture are most intensive.” As a confirmation the Ambassador mentioned the German institutions, which are registered and have been working in Belarus for a long time. Cultural and educational ties between the countries are maintained and bolstered by the Goethe Institute, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the Central Agency for German Schools Abroad.

Yet the diplomat noted with regret that Belarus-Germany economic cooperation has not been very successful in the last two years. “We are forced to state that in these two years virtually no new German economic operators were registered in your country. Among other reasons it can be explained by the fact that competition on the market of investment offers has toughened considerably on the global scale. Today it is a true battle for investors,” said Peter Dettmar.

Speaking about the role of diplomats in establishing cooperation, Peter Dettmar remarked that representatives of embassies can only rouse the interest of businessmen in a certain country while it is always up to businessmen to make the final decisions. “You should be more enterprising. You should fill the gaps in our knowledge about Belarus’ potential. You should raise our awareness about investment projects or ways to establish cooperation. Only so the battle for investors can be won,” concluded the diplomat.

Peter Dettmar emphasized that he was intent on taking part in the forum due to his desire to get first-hand information about possible investment projects. “One of the key purposes of my visit is to learn where the interest of the Belarusian side in cooperation with German partners lies and to uncover competitive advantages of Vitebsk Oblast in comparison with other regions of Belarus,” concluded the diplomat.

The fifth international economic forum Innovations. Investments. Prospects is scheduled to take place in Vitebsk on 12-13 May. The forum features an extensive business program including a business matchmaking session, an international conference, a seminar, panel sessions, and exhibition events. The forum has been organized by the Vitebsk Oblast administration and the Vitebsk city administration, the Vitebsk Oblast agency for overseeing the rational use of fuel and energy resources, the Vitebsk Oblast Marketing Center, the Vitebsk Oblast union of employers, and the administration of the free economic zone Vitebsk. The Vitebsk Oblast electrical company Vitebskenergo is the general partner of the forum.