Poland would like to run more investment projects with Belarus, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Alexander Gurianov told reporters following the session of Belarus-Poland working group on trade and investments on 2 April, BelTA has learnt.
Alexander Gurianov noted that Poland is among the top five investors in Belarus. Nearly $200 million of foreign direct investments was utilized in 2013. One of the most recent successful projects involving a Polish investor was the construction of the second phase of the Victoria Hotel in Minsk.
“Polish companies are eager to operate on the Belarusian market, including in the fields like the production of car components, processing of agricultural produce and power engineering,” Alexander Gurianov said. Speaking about cooperation in power engineering he noted that the two countries have been discussing ways to connect their energy systems for a long time. An agreement was reached to hold a meeting to discuss cooperation between energy ministries.
Reviewing the results of the meeting of the working group, Alexander Gurianov emphasized that almost all the matters related to the bilateral economic cooperation were discussed. The parties discussed issues that hamper business contacts, issues related to government regulation, implementation of joint investment projects, cooperation between integration associations – the European Union on the one hand and the Customs Union/Single Economic Space on the other. Besides, the partners discussed interaction within the framework of the World Trade Organization, provision of loans and investments and cooperation between organizations and banking institutions. The parties also considered the credit agencies that are to provide financial support for joint projects. “In other words, we have discussed all the matters that have to do with economy, trade and investments,” Alexander Gurianov said.
The working group resumed its work after nearly a five-year break. Commenting on this lengthy interval, Alexander Gurianov noted that there were just not so many problems that had to be discussed at such a big meeting. By the way, Belarus is playing host to over 30 delegates from Poland who represent government agencies, business communities and specialized organizations.
The working group on trade and investments is part of the Belarusian-Polish commission for economic cooperation. The working group is co-chaired by Undersecretary of State of the Economy Ministry of Poland Andrzej Dycha.
“We feel that it is high time to discuss our efforts to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in detail,” he emphasized.
