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Opinions & Interviews

30 May 2013

Ambassador: UK seeks to expand trade with Belarus

Ambassador: UK seeks to expand trade with Belarus

MOGILEV, 30 May (BelTA) – The United Kingdom is interested in increasing trade with Belarus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Belarus Bruce Bucknell said as he met with Mogilev Oblast Governor Piotr Rudnik on 30 May, BelTA has learnt.

“Each of the Belarusian regions has its strong points and advantages. My task is to study them in order to identify cooperation prospects,” he said.

Piotr Rudnik said that the region gives priority to joint ventures utilizing local raw materials. He suggested setting up a company to produce reinforced concrete frames and a sugar refinery. According him, the joint venture established with VMG Industry can be called a successful example of utilizing foreign investments. This company is located in the FEZ Mogilev. Bruce Bucknell toured the company premises during his one-day visit to Mogilev Oblast.

“Great Britain attaches paramount importance to economy and trade. However, most of the companies are privately owned and have a free choice; therefore they make their own decisions who to trade with. However, I am convinced that British businessmen will be able to establish closer ties with Belarus,” he said.

Three companies with British investment are registered in Mogilev Oblast. They are Akvabit, Belatmeat, and Shklov Forest LTD. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is among the biggest investors in Mogilev Oblast: in 2012 it injected $58 million (20.8% of all investments) into the region. Most of the money was channeled into Servolux, Agrolink, Krovlya companies and Poultry Factory Vishnevka. In the first quarter of 2013 the United Kingdom provided $4.1 million, mostly in the form of loans. Almost all the money was meant for the Bobruisk-based Brewery Heineken.

“I hope this visit and your acquaintance with the region will give an impetus to our cooperation,” Piotr Rudnik said.

The Governor expressed interest in Irish agricultural technologies. He informed that Irish milking parlors are used at local dairy farms. Belarusian agricultural specialists are quite happy with the Irish equipment.

The parties also discussed cooperation in academic and social fields. Piotr Rudnik thanked the Irish nonprofit organization Chernobyl Children’s Project for providing assistance to Vesnovo boarding school for children with disabilities. Starting from 2002 foreign volunteers have been helping the boarding school with renovation works and taking care of children. In 2012 the organization provided funds to build a house for 12 girls.

Bruce Bucknell voiced plans to launch a pilot project together with the Mogilev State University. The project involves business English classes. If the project is a success, it will be implemented in other regions.

 

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