Business news

MINSK, 24 October (BelTA) – The trade between Belarus and Poland can reach $4 billion within the next two to three years, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusy said as he attended the Belarusian-Polish economic forum Good Neighborliness 2016 on 24 October, BelTA has learned.

“The trade between Belarus and Poland will exceed the mark of $2.5 billion by year-end 2016. But we should aim for more. The governments of the two countries will draft a roadmap that would help us reach $4 billion in trade within the next two to three years,” Mikhail Rusy stressed.

He drew the attention of the participants in the forum to the fact that Poland was the seventh largest investor in the Belarusian economy in 2015. “Polish FDI is projected to exceed $200 million by the end of the year. Two years ago, our goal was $100 million,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

Mikhail Rusy believes that the countries have taken many steps towards each other in 2016. “First of all, we have continued our constructive, progressive dialogue with the new Polish government. We have resumed expert consultations on transport, agriculture, industry, border crossing points, education, culture and other fields. Besides, we have implemented a range of investment projects. We have launched joint production of MAZ trucks in Poland. Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ trademark) has invested in further development of its branches in Poland,” Mikhail Rusy said.

Belarusian and Polish businessmen are searching for new forms of cooperation. “The business circles of the two countries are open for dialogue and are eager to jointly implement many promising, mutually beneficial projects. The fact that the Good Neighborliness forum has brought together some 500 participants attests to this,” Mikhail Rusy emphasized.

The governments of the two countries play an important role in the development of bilateral ties. “The task of government bodies is to remove the barriers and provide all-round administrative and information support to constructive business initiatives. In this regard, we express special gratitude to the Polish Ministry of Development for its reasonable, open and constructive position on the cooperation with Belarus, and for its willingness to promote the development of trade and economic ties between the countries,” Mikhail Rusy said.

Minsk is hosting the Belarusian-Polish economic forum Good Neighborliness 2016 on 24 October. The forum aims to strengthen bilateral commercial and economic cooperation and bolster the ties between Belarus and Poland in different economy sectors. The program of the forum includes a plenary meeting and three breakout sections: “Interregional Cooperation and Development”, “Creation of Favorable Investment Climate. Advantages and Risks”, and “Conditions for Doing Business. Open Economy and Market Protection”. A business matchmaking session for Belarusian and Polish businessmen will be held as part of the forum.