The measures Belarus takes to perfect the business climate are extremely substantial, said Varel Freeman, EBRD First Vice President, as he met with Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky. Varel Freeman remarked, the Belarusian government has been taking significant steps lately to improve business operation conditions. “We are ready to respond with additional support for private business and cooperation with larger companies with a view to developing small and medium business,” he...

In January-August 2008, Belarus led in the CIS industrial production growth (13.1%), BelTA Office in Moscow learnt from the Interstate Statistic Committee of the Commonwealth. Azerbaijan was second with 9.6% up over January-August 2007, Ukraine – the third (up 6.3%). Ukraine was followed by Kyrgyzstan (6.1%), Russia (5.3%), Kazakhstan (3%), Moldova (2.8%) and Armenia (2.2%). Tajikistan reported a 2.5% fall in the industrial production. On average in January-August 2008, the CIS industrial...

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has set the task of working out a project for building a sodium carbonate manufacturing enterprise within half a year, BelTA learnt from the press service of the President of Belarus after a government session held by the head of state during his working trip to the Gomel oblast. During the discussion about prospects of the Belarusian glass making industry development it was stressed that glass manufacturers need sodium carbonate, which is imported...

Belarusian companies intend to present 72 investment projects at the investment forum in London, BelTA learnt in the Economy Ministry of Belarus. Companies of the Belarusian ministries of industry, energy, architecture and construction, transport and communications, information, sports and tourism, agriculture and foodstuffs, Belneftekhim, Bellesbumprom, Belgospischeprom, Bellegprom concerns will display their investment projects in London. The oblast executive committees and free economic...

Visiting glass plants in the Gomel oblast on October 3, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko commissioned domestic glassmakers with reaching European product standards by late 2010. The head of state also demanded that the retooling of Gomelglass company should be finished by November 7, 2010 and the existing territories should be put in order. First Vice Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko remarked, Gomelglass’ retooling is supposed to end in 2014. He added, state subsidies and...

The funds should be invested in the ready modernization projects in the glass industry, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said in Gomel on October 3 at a session dedicated to the national glass making industry development. “The global trends urge us to invest the available funds in those industrial development projects that have already been elaborated and are free from serious risks,” the Belarusian Head of State noted. “Usually the government is critical of heads of...

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested $175 million in Belarus since 2003, Economy Minister of Belarus Nikolai Zaichenko told deputies on October 2. Belarus joined the IFC in 1992. Up to 2003 the IFC provided advisory services to Belarus. Belarus has achieved certain successes since then. According to the 2009 Doing Business Annual Report published by the World Bank and the IFC, within June 2007–June 2008 Belarus conducted reforms in six out of ten areas highlighted in...

Enterprises producing biofuel will be set up in all the regions of Belarus, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky told reporters. The head of the Belarusian government visited an enterprise processing oil plants in the village of Sharayevshchina of the Bobruisk region and a future plant producing biofuel from the rapeseed oil in the village of Kalinino. “In the nearest future, enterprises like these will be established in every oblast. The enterprises in the Bobruisk region employed...

Over 20 most important issues regarding the Belarusian-Russian integration are on agenda of the session of the Union State Council of Ministers, which is scheduled to take place in Minsk on October 6, BelTA learnt from the Union State Permanent Committee. The number of topics for discussion includes trade and economic cooperation of Belarus and Russia, Union budget process, assessment and management of Union State assets, implementation of main avenues of the united scientific and...

For Belarus the door to Europe stays open, said Anne-Marie Lizin, head of the OSCE PA mission sent to Belarus to monitor the elections to the House of Representatives. “Despite the critical remarks made by OSCE observers, in any country we try to leave the door open in order to preserve opportunities for dialogue. We all believe that the present relations with Belarus can be improved,” stressed Anne-Marie Lizin as she met with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on September 30....