New ambassador expresses hope that British companies will see more opportunities for investing in Belarus

Fionna Gibb, Britain’s new ambassador in Minsk, expressed hope that more British companies would come to see Belarus’ investment potential.

There is room for the two countries to step up their trade cooperation, Ms. Gibb said in an interview with BelaPAN. “A Belarusian investment forum was held in London last May,” she said. “This year, London will be hosting a conference organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. I know that the Belarusian government plans to hold a national form within the framework of this conference.”

At the same time, authorities cannot force businesspeople to invest their funds in some projects, Ms. Gibb said. “All I can do is support businesspeople if they come,” she added.

Ms. Gibb pointed out that British companies had already carried out some successful investment projects in Belarus. For example, Britain’s LINPAC Packaging has built a food packaging plant not far from Orsha, Vitsyebsk region, she said.