Business news
Societe Generale may partake in Belarus’ privatization
MINSK, 21 January (BelTA) – The French bank Societe Generale may take part in the privatization processes in Belarus. The matter was discussed during a visit of the Belarusian government delegation to France, BelTA learn from the Foreign Ministry of Belarus.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Valery Voronetsky met with the Societe Generale senior executives to discuss the prospects of further cooperation in the financial and banking areas. In particular, the two sides discussed the investment and financial collaboration, the bank’s participation in the Belarusian privatization processes, on-the-job trainings and exchanges of gropus of experts between the financial and banking institutions of Belarus and France.
On 21 January the Belarusian delegation will hold a plenary session in the headquarters of the Movement of the French Enterprises (MEDEF).
Valery Voronetsky also met with a friendship group France-Belarus in the National Assembly of the Republic of France to discuss the issues of the bilateral cooperation including the development of the inter-parliamentary dialogue, collaboration within the international organizations.
In January-November 2009 Belarus-France trade totaled $404.9 million (69.4% to the same period 2008). The Belarusian export made up $62.6 million (83.3%), the import was $342.2 million (67.3%). Belarus posted $279.6-million trade deficit. The main commodity items of Belarus are furniture and its components, nitrogen fertilizers, seamless pipelines, women’s wear, metal goods and casein. Belarus imports cars, insecticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, hot processing equipment.
In 2008 Belarus attracted $43.3 million of French investments (13.2 times more than in 2007). This amount included $3.8 million of direct investments (2.7 times more) and $9 million of other investments. In January-September 2009 France put $13.8 million investments to the Belarusian economy (down 3 times as against the same period 2008). Direct investments shrunk 20 times to $158,300.
There are 41 companies with the French capital in Belarus, including 23 joint ventures and 18 foreign firms.
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