Belarusian PM says Russian investment a priority
MINSK. Sept 14 (Interfax) - Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich has announced the priority of Russian investments in the implementation of plans to raise $4.5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) next year.
"In the context of investment activities, we will make our Russian partners the priority," Myasnikovich said during a Friday briefing in Minsk.
The Belarusian government plans to raise a significant amount of private FDI next year, with the aim of financing planned economic growth, Myasnikovich said. "Questions are possible about foreign investments - we won't cope by our own efforts. The need is to raise $4.5 billion from without, so as not to remain in traditional sectors. This is a very difficult task," he said.
The priority of raising Russian investments is due to Russia being the main sales market for non-energy Belarusian goods, Myasnikovich said. "Of course, the Russian market is very attractive to us and we highly value and are very aware that we actually work in the framework of a common market with Russia and Kazakhstan," he said. Commenting on privatization issues in light of the necessity of raising private FDI, the PM said that the Belarusian government has emphasized openness for privatization, the goal of which is developing production and exports. "If we are talking about an open Belarusian economy, then it should be also open for privatization, the list compiled by the authorities cannot be restricted. There are no restrictions as to privatization of any enterprise. The main task is foreign direct investment and new markets. This should be a priority for privatization, and not the simple receipt of funds by the budget," he said. "If production, integration with foreign partners is advantageous, that will be seen as a priority during privatization," he said.
Myasnikovich said he also thinks the potential of domestic investors is great. "We have fairly many aggressive domestic investors that can successfully compete with foreigners. So investment will be raised, including from domestic investors," he said.