By Vladimir Kharitonenko
President Alexander Lukashenko noted in his speech, “The state guarantees investors the best conditions for doing business. We have a dynamically developing economy, a favourable investment and tax climate, good infrastructure, reliable protection and a number of preferences. Most importantly, we are at the centre of Europe, boasting talented, hard-working and hospitable Belarusian people.”
According to experts, the total portfolio of contracts concluded at the forum may be worth $1bn. The Prime Minister of Belarus, Mikhail Myasnikovich, believes that everything is in place to see contracts through, while unprecedented tax benefits and preferences have been created for investors. The country has made a real breakthrough in its investment and tax legislation, with the number of activities requiring a license reduced by one third over the past two years. Today, Belarus is ranked 58th out of 186 countries for ease of doing business and is among the top three for reform.
A draft decree on foreign depositary receipts has already been prepared, allowing domestic companies to conduct international public offering (IPO) on foreign financial markets. “The road to the capital markets of New York, London, Hong Kong and Tokyo will open to our leading corporations,” notes the PM. Meanwhile, the Economy Minister, Nikolai Snopkov, plans to offer land for private ownership by foreign investors within the next year. Laws on investment and public-private partnership are also being improved.
Mr. Myasnikovich considers that domestic companies should be more actively making alliances with large transnational corporations. Worldwide, direct foreign investments are acquiring a transnational character. “Everyone is struggling for their market niche; simple trade, and the creation of joint ventures and service centres, is no longer enough. Commercial and financial capital are keen to make unions; it’s already impossible to make sales without investing in importer,” stresses Mr. Myasnikovich. Opportunities provided from membership of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space should be fully utilised.
On the first day of the forum, emergent entrepreneurs presented reports on their plans for innovative business projects, with most relating to IT. Ideas ranged from booking hotels at a single keystroke to the creation of networked morning cafes. Winners are to take part in an international contest for a contract with an investor.
One of the days at the forum was almost entirely devoted to Minsk. To date, 150 investment contracts (worth about $4bn) have been signed and further potential for investment is clear. About 60 companies took part in Minsk’s Investment Day, most of which were foreign. They were presented with a dozen major projects and the more inquisitive were invited to join a business tour of possible sites for development.
The state Foreign Investment Advisory Council met during the forum: the first such meeting in three years. Naturally, there was much to discus, with the PM noting that most foreign investment funds into Belarus are reinvested profits. He explained, “Investments tend to be into already operational projects. I see nothing bad in this. Investors take 20 percent of profits away from the country and invest 80 percent. This is typical of the investment climate in Belarus.”
Prof. Mikhail Kovalev, a Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, tells us, “I’m convinced that each similar event improves the image of Belarus. Everyone who attended is saying how wonderful our country is: clean, tidy and stable — great conditions for doing business.”
Another novelty this year is Startup Day at the Belarusian Youth Investment Forum; it allows young entrepreneurs to present their innovative business projects. More than 200 projects took part, with 15 standing up to serious analysis across various spheres — from high tech to agriculture.
Khalfan Saeed Al Kaabi, the Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, tells us, “We’ve come from the UAE to explore investment opportunities in Belarus. It’s our first visit but it’s ‘love at first sight’. We really like your proposals and are already calculating the benefits of certain projects. I can say one thing right now — we’ll be coming back.”
Peter Johansson, the Director General of a Norwegian investment company, notes, “We are already implementing an investment project in Minsk — building a large shopping and entertainment complex on Pobediteley Avenue. I’ve been here for six months, analysing the situation, so I can say that Belarus is a very interesting and favourable market for investments. We’re now looking for other potential projects.”
