Ambassador: Russian investors propose to create network of medical centres in west of Belarus

Russian investors wonder which Belarusian industries they can invest in, and show interest in tourism, in particular medical tourism – as informed by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia, Dmitry Krutoi

The diplomat said that in this way Russian companies are ready to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the visa-free entry to Belarus for citizens of the European Union.

“They have heard about our visa-free regime with Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and they know that many citizens come from there for the purpose of recovery or treatment in our clinics. Having studied which services are most in demand, [Russians] propose to create a network of dental medical centres in the Brest and Grodno regions, and in general specialising in diagnostics. These services are much cheaper in Belarus, and they attract many Europeans. Israel and Turkiye have experience in organising such medical centres, so a project of the kind can be implemented in Belarus as well. It would be wonderful to implement such plans and take advantage of our visa-free opportunities by monetising them," Mr. Krutoi believes.

The diplomat stressed that, in modern conditions, it is necessary to offer not only classical, well-known industries – such as mechanical engineering and petrochemistry – for investment. According to him, tourism has a special potential.

“There is a desire on the Russian side to expand the network of Belarusian hotels, sanatoriums and farmsteads, because they are all 100 percent booked today. As part of the Russia exhibition at VDNKh, we have a stand dedicated to tourism in Belarus. There is an opportunity to directly book a ticket or sanatorium treatment there. As regards the New Year holidays, all places have been booked by now – primarily, by Russians,” Mr. Krutoi added.