News & Events in Belarus

Belarus’ government delegation visits France

Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko

MINSK, 19 January (BelTA) – Belarusian government delegation visits France on 19 January. The delegation is headed by Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

The Belarusian officials are set to meet with Secretary General of the Elysée Claude Gueant, heads of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and Economy, Industry and Employment of France, top managers of the major French companies and banks. The sides will take part in a business forum at the headquarters of the Movement of the French Enterprises (MEDEF).

The sides are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation including the prospects of extending trade, economic and investment ties, the development of political dialogue and legal framework of relations, and the interaction within international organizations.

In January-November 2009, the trade between Belarus and France totaled $404.9 million (64.9% on the same period 2008). Belarus’ export amounted to $62.6 million (83.3%); the import was $342.2 million (67.3%). The main commodity items of Belarus are furniture and its components, nitrogen fertilizers, iron seamless tubes, textile women’s wear, metal goods and casein. Belarus imports insecticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, hot processing equipment, and cars.

In 2008, Belarus raised $43.3 million of investments (13.2 times more than in 2007). This amount includes $3.8 million of direct investments (2.7 times more) and $9 million of other investments. In January-September 2009 French investments in Belarusian economy totaled $13.8 million (down 3 times as against the same period 2008). The amount of direct investments dwindled 20 times and amounted to $158,300.

There are 41 companies with French capital in Belarus, including 23 joint ventures and 18 foreign ones. All in all, French businessmen invested $4.8 million in the statutory funds of the Belarus-based companies ($1.4 million – in joint ventures and $3.5 – in foreign ones).

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