news
Public sales of state property for 11 euro
State committee on property of Belarus continues inviting bids for state property at starting price of 11 euro. Among the property are both old and unfinished production buildings and facilities of different branches.
18 August 2008Budgetary recharge
The goverment of Belarus is going to introduce new temporary export duty on potash chloride to extract excess money from Belaruskaliy that gains huge incomes from sales of the popular product. So, the export duty will amount to appr. 300 US Dollars per ton.
18 August 2008Mass privatization in Belarus
Belarus starts mass privatization of more than 500 state-owned enterprises to be completed by 2010, to begin with only 25% of share capital. Among such enterprises are: Minsk motor plant, Optoelectronic systems, Minskagroprommash, Gomselmash, Belarusian Automobile Plant, Vityaz, Agat-System and others.
21 July 2008UNCTAD report on Belarus business situation
UNCTAD recordered Belarus business improvments made last year, among them: favourable taxation for Free Trade Zones and HighTech Park, preferences for business in small towns. The investment policy survey is to be released soon.
23 May 2008Love cannot be forced
The more the goverment forces consumers to buy goods of Belarusian origin, the more consumers tend to buy good of foreign origin, including clothes, shoes, washing machines, refrigerators. This causes the increase of stocks of finished goods.
21 May 2008Mortgage law to see the light in 2008
Draft law “On mortgage” has been approved at the second reading by the House of Representatives. Thus, the mortgage law is likely to be issued this year.
20 May 2008Money outflow from Belarus
According to statistics, in 2007 Belarusian companies have invested abroad 3.3 bln US Dollars to compare with 3 bln US Dollars in 2006.
31 March 2008Main investors in 2007
The main foreign direct investors in Belarus are Russian Federation (33.5%), Cyprus (32.5%) and Switzerland (23.8%).
31 March 2008Investments results 2007
In 2007 net inflow of foreign direct investments in Belarus has been increased 5-fold and amounted to 1.769 bln US Dollars, and gross volume amounted to 2.437 bln US Dollars. Shareholders’ capital accounted for 59% of all investments (the largest deal with Gazprom, another with cellular service provider), credits and loans to daughter companies accounted for 33.4%. Then come reinvested earnings with 7.6% and authorized capitals of banks with 3.6%.
31 March 2008Securities business recovery
Belarus has decreased the tax on income from securities from 40% to 24%, thus creating favourable environment for the development of securities market of Belarus.
26 March 2008Timber for the sake of energy
To ensure running all biofuel boilers Belarus requires about 310 ha of silvicultural farms that growing up started this spring.
22 March 2008Golden share cancellation
On 4 March the President of Belarus has signed the decree cancelling the golden share – the special right of the government to interfere into activity of economic entiites.
4 March 2008$200 mln for light industry needs
Belarus is going to attract about 200 mln US Dollars for technical modernization of its main facilities in the light industry.
26 February 2008Export-import of automotive engineering in 2007
In 2007 Belarus has increased the export of mechanical transport, including tractors, lorries, heavy haulers by 23.7% in comparison with 2006, up to 78055 units, with tractors accounting for 74% of thereof. Import of lorries in 2007 has also increased by 15.3%, up to 12951 units.
26 February 2008Zero customs duty
A zero customs duty is imposed on certain goods imported to Belarus in 2008, among them electric power equipment, metalworking machines, sewing machines, casting machines, railway carriages, building cranes, etc.
23 February 2008Starting companies privatization
JSC “Minsk electrotechnical plant named after V.I.Kozlov” has been excluded from the list of state-owned companies forbidden for privatization. This will facilitate the company reequipment, modernization and market situation.
9 February 2008End of monopoly on insurance
Belarus is going to start demonopolization of the insurance market, beginning from car owners’ liability insurance. Today about 10 insurance companies rule the market, only 3 of thereof being 100% foreign capital.
30 January 2008Car import duty
Import car duty will not be increased in 2008 in Belarus.
27 January 2008Cement offer
New cement offer – at the price of about 90 US Dollars per ton. Contact Belinfoway for details.
27 January 2008Entrepreneurs on strike
Starting from 10 January 2008 thousands of entrepreneurs went on strike and various demonstrations of protests against the Decree of the President to eliminate entrepreneurship in Belarus and turn all entrepreneurs into legal entities. Only 11 out of 64 thousands have been re-registered
21 January 2008Honorary 150th place
Belarus ranks 150th out 157 countries in terms of economic freedom, as reported in 2007 index of economic freedom made by the Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation.
16 January 200812% inflation in 2007
According to statistics, Belarus experienced 12.1% inflation in 2007 influenced by increased prices on gas and oil. Experts assess real inflation to be up to 17%, with fuel prices grew by 20%, milk products by 45%, as well as prices for oil, bread, cereal.
12 January 2008Getting rid of unprofitability
The government decided to get rid of unprofitable industrial enterprises by selling them at 20% of their net asset value. Such new list includes 200 enterprises
22 December 2007In search for tourist partners
The National tourist agency of Belarus is looking for partners for organization of the national booth of Belarus at various international tourism exhibitions in 2008.
20 December 2007Simplification of business registration and liquidation
From 1 January 2008 Belarus simplifies the procedure for business registration and liquidation. Now it will bear a more declaring character, registering institutions don’t have to make data verification. Amounts of minimal authorized funds have been also twice reduced. As a result the registration procedure will take instead of 20 days up to 5 days.
20 December 2007Alcohol import reductions
The Government approved quotas for the import of alcohol in 2008, thus it doesn’t change its policy and continue substitute the import by own manufacture. However, now local manufacturers experience the glut of supply and huge stocks.
17 December 2007NEW tender opportunities
New procurement opportunities published in the Section “Trade leads”.
17 December 2007Eropean Commission Office in Belarus
EC-Office is to be opened in Belarus in 2008. From now on both parties will be able to receive and exchange information in time, analyse the situation and events, thus fostering mutual relationship between Belarus and Europe.
9 December 2007Licensing simplification
With a Decree of the President of Belarus the licensing procedures will be simplified starting from 1 January 2008. Licensing will be carried out according to the “one window” principle, including license granting, collection of documents, copies issuing.
27 November 2007Mozyr refinery in search for investors
Mozyr refinery plant is looking for investors for turnkey construction of paraxylene factory costing about 126 mln.US Dollars.
9 November 2007Belaruskaliy increases its prices
The prices on potash fertilizers are increased from 360 to 400 US Dollars per ton for Brazil and Asia due to increased demand and high transportation costs.
9 November 2007Active cooperation: Belarus-China
Belarus enhances its relationship with China, having invited it to its most prospective projects of new factories contruction like cement, pulp making, wood-working and electric power stations. Thus, Belarus can become a site on the way to promotion of Chinese technologies to Europe.
6 November 2007No more entrepreneurship
WIth the decree issued in early spring 2007 the Belarusian government intends to force all entrepreneurs to change the form of ownership and turn them to legal entities. And that requires additional financial expenses and other forms of bookkeeping. Despite all the strikes held, the decree comes into force starting from 2008.
30 October 2007High Tech Park News
Two residents of the Belarusian High Tech Park: “EPAM Systems” and “Itransition Software” have entered the “Software-500” rating.
23 October 2007Minsk aircraft repair plant to be reequipped
Belarus expects 170 bln.$ of investments to be made for the recontruction of the Minsk aircraft repair plant by german and american companies.
22 October 200745% shadow economy in Belarus
Independent experts assess Belarusian shadow economy accounts for 45%, while authorities make steps towards its reduction and believe it accounts only for 15%. About 90% of companies have breaches in their activities, especially in respect of taxation.
19 October 2007Single off-shore zone in Belarus
Belarus is going to change the strategy for attraction of foreign direct investments and create a special offshore zone with certain incentives for foreign investors. Thus, total investment will be increased up to 1.2 bln. US Dollars in 2008.
2 October 2007Very little business improvements
According to the report of the WB and IFC “Doing business 2008” Belarus ranks 110th in terms of favorable business conditions among 178 countries, up by 19 points. But in terms of paid taxes and dues Belarus ranks first, with 124 various taxes accounting for 144% of the tax burden of businesses.
27 September 2007Simplification of customs
Belarus has simplified the customs clearance for goods temporarily imported to Belarus for the needs of fairs and exhibitions, international conferences, cultural and sport events.
6 September 2007Trade deficit of Belarus in 2007
Belarus experienced negative balance of trade over the passed period from January to August at the rate of more than 2 bln.US Dollars.
5 September 2007Weldless hot rolled tubes of Belarusian origin
In July the manufacturing of weldless hot rolled tubes has been launched at the Belarusian Metallurgical Plant with the capacity of 280 thousand tons of tubes per year. Thus, the Plant will be able to meet 80% of the demand of the Belarusian market.
9 July 2007World Bank assessing Belarusian economy
The World Bank has completed the assessment of the Belarusian economy. The results of this investigation will be presented in July. Since the investigation was made jointly with various ministries, its results will anticipate the common strategy to be undertaken.
21 June 2007Downward trends of the economy
Belarus failed to fulfill main indicators of foreign economic activity having achieved 2-fold increase of import over export. Little is made in production of macaroni, bakery products, canned fruits and vegetables, although the stock growth of some other products can be recorded. About 70% of consumer goods are of non-Belarusian origin and are imported.
21 June 2007Branch and region adjustment of business in Belarus
The new Decree is discussed to introduce additional incentives of business in various regions of Belarus, including small towns. Despite the 3 years tax exemption the young enterprise has to manufacture import substituting products and export 50% of it.
19 June 2007Cement price fixed in Belarus
The Goverment of Belarus has established the single fixed price on cement appr. 140 US Dollars per ton of Portland Cement-500. Such market regulation is due to the fact that cement was mostly exported at higher prices, thus having caused deficit in Belarus.
8 June 2007One stop border crossing
From 1 June 2007 vehicle border checkpoints in Belarus will run in 17 out of 36 checkpoints according to principle of “one stop” implying the documents to be checked only once by crossing the border not twice like it was before.
6 June 2007Russian transit free to go through Belarus
Belarus confirms its intention to cancel fare for transit of Russian transport vehicles with transit numbers through the territory of Belarus. In return Russia cancels fare for temporary entry of automobiles from Belarus.
24 May 2007Belarusian Cement Factory is incorporated and reequipped
Till 1 July 2007 the Belarusian Cement Factory will be incorporated and 40% of shares offered to investors. Now, the factory is going to buy and build new manufacturing facilities for production of 1.8 mln. tons of cement per year.
23 May 2007Belarus stopped meat import
After Belarus stopped the import of meat, the main Belarusian exporter of meat products “IncoFood” (Resident of the Free Zone “Brest”) has reduced its production capacities up to 10-15% and had to give 60% of its staff 2-week leave. Now, meat processing enterprises expect the repeal of this ban.
8 May 2007Automobile manufacturing in Belarus
With the first failure in car-making in 1996 when Ford entered the Belarusian market, Belarus has once again initiated to launch new car-making facilities and to involve foreign leading manufacturers into the project so that to satisfy the growing demand for cars and to keep money inside the country.
4 May 2007European Commission is welcomed in Belarus
Having applied in 2005, the European Commission has finally received the official consent of Belarusian authorities to open its office in Belarus. The only thing left is to decide the conditions for its opening.
26 April 2007Government interest increased
The government take is increased in the authorized capital of 13 large public joint stock companies for the repayment of credits taken for modernization and re-equipment of facilities. Among such enterprises are sugar plants, malt plant, poultry factory,cheese and butter making plants.
10 April 2007Equalisation of transit duty
Payment for transit through the territory of Belarus will be made equal for the residents of Russia and Belarus.
5 April 2007Strengthening alcohol import control
The control of the import and circulation in Belarus of alcohol containing liquids has been strengthened after the introduction of new regulations intended for prevention of illegal import of industrial alcohol.
4 April 2007New advertising law
The amount of advertising of beer and tobacco goods will be limited according to the new advertising law of Belarus to be effective soon.
3 April 2007Oil export duty reduced in Belarus
The government has reduced the duty for export of crude oil from Belarus till 156.4 US Dollars per one ton, of oil products – 117.7 US Dollars and oil coke, asphalt and residuum – 63.4 US Dollars.
29 March 2007Zero customs duty and VAT for trucks import to Belarus
From 1 July 2007 till June 2010 Belarus imposes ZERO customs duty and VAT for new transport vehicles of foreign origin temporarily imported to Belarus and intended for international cargo transportation provided that the same amount of new trucks of Belarusian manufacture shall be purchased.
23 March 2007Belarusian grain harvesters going for export to Europe
The Belarusian manufacturer of agricultural machinery “Gomselmash” is starting to export its CE marked “Polesje” grain and fodder harvesters and lawnmowers to Europe.
19 March 2007Xerox increased its market share in Belarus
Xerox corporation occupies about 80% of the Belarusian market of fax, copy and print machines, having increased its annual turnover by 67% in 2006, up to 12 mln. US Dollars.
15 March 2007International congress of evaluators '07
Сorporatization of Belarusian enterprises attracted interest of evaluators and investment advisers from Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Great Britain, the USA and the CIS that intend to take part in the International congress and Forum held on 6 – 7 September 2007 in Minsk.
14 March 2007All sugar plants stopped in Belarus
After long disputes about sugar delivery to Russia, with no agreement signed yet, four existing Belarusian sugar plants stopped sugar production.
14 March 2007Philip Morris leaving tobacco market of Belarus
After 12 years Philip Morris reduces its presence on the tobacco market of Belarus by having closed its representation. The decision is caused by the tobacco policy pursued in Belarus and tobacco quotas introduced.
11 March 2007New investment rules are promised
Belarusian authorities consider to elaborate efficient mechanism for the inflow of foreign investments, including incentives granting, red-tape minimization, legislation steadiness. In 2006 Belarus attracted about 4 bln. US Dollars of foreign investments against 1.8 bln. US Dollars in 2005.
6 March 2007Minsk Automobile Plant introduces Euro-3 engine
In 2007 the Minsk Automobile Plant intends to manufacture its trucks and buses equipped with Euro-3 engine. In 2006 the plant manufactured 23 thousand automobiles and by 2010 its output shall amount to 30 thousand units.
3 March 2007Brown coal mining in Belarus
Belarus invites investors for joint mining of brown coal that deposits today amount to about 100 mln. tons.
27 February 2007Economic stabilization through asset sales
To achieve the positive balance of foreign trade, the Belarusian Government considers the possibility to sell the assets of a number of state-owned strategic enterprises of Belarus like Minsk Automobile Plant, Belarusian Cement Works, enterprises of Production Association “Khimvolokno”, Grodno tobacco factory “Nyoman”, Brewery “Krynitsa”, JSC “Belsolod”.
27 February 2007Changes in the Land Code of Belarus
The new changes are anticipated in the Land Code of Belarus regarding the form of land possession: by the right of property and tenant right.
21 February 2007Investments doubled in 2006
In 2006 the volume of foreign investments has increased 2.2-fold in comparison with 2005 and amounted to more than 4 bln. US Dollars. 22.2% of all investments accounted for industry, 10.8% for trade and public catering, 5.8% for communications. Main investors are United Kingdom ($1.4 bln.), Switzerland ($529.5 mln.), Germany ($401.7 mln.).
21 February 2007Innovations for heat insulation
Belarusian Academy of Sciences has developed the technology of production of mineral wool board that differ from imported analogues in higher strength, better water resistance, and durability. Today, minteral wool boards are produced at Gomelstroymaterialy plant the intended capacity of that shall amount to 500 thousand cubic meters.
18 February 2007Belarus - Russia trade
Commodity turnover between Belarus and Russia in 2006 amounted to 19.934 bln US Dollars, up by 25.9% in comparison with 2005. Belarusian export grew up to 6.85 bln US Dollars (19.8%) and import – 13.084 bln. US Dollars (29.3%).
14 February 2007Industrial output growth in Belarus
Belarus ranks second amoung CIS countries in terms of industrial production accounting for 11.3%. The GDP growth amounted in 2006 to 9.9%.
12 February 2007Red light to Belarusian transportation in Russia
Russia refused to grant the Belarusian cargo carriers the resolution for transport to third countries, whether from Europe to Russia or though the territory of Russia to other countries. This is probably the reply to Kaliningrad transit conflict in the result of strengthening the Belarusian customs regime at the Lithuanian frontier.
9 February 2007Salary growth against the productivity of labor
In 2006 the average monthly wages of workers amounted to 275 US Dollars, up by 25.8% in comparison with 2005, but the real wages grew by 17,6 %. The amount of every salary differs from region to region and industry.
9 February 2007Dependants of the Belarusian economy
In 2006 investments into the agroindustrial complex of Belarus, including the state program of village revival amounted to 3.8 bln. US Dolars, up by 15% in comparison with 2005. Although the credit indebtedness into agro facilities are not reduced but on the contrary are 1.4-fold higher than the amount of annual receipt of the branch.
9 February 2007Panic with the price increase
Since 1 February 2007 all the prices in Minsk are increased by 10% for imported goods by introduction by Minsk authorities of 15% sale tax instead of 5% imposed on all imported goods. The same price increase refers to public catering facilities, restaurants, discos and other servicing companies. Why do Belarusian consumers have to suffer and cover the expenses for energy resources?
7 February 2007Welcome Russian Beer to Belarus
Belarus cancelled the import restrictions for Russian beer that were introduced last year to protect the domestic breweries. Last year about 5 mln. decaliters of beer has been imported from Russia.
7 February 2007Great interest in coal
Coal electric power station to be built in Belarus shall ensure 600 MW of energy. Some of running power stations will be modernized and switched to coal to produce 100 MW each. This will allow to save up to 1 mln. tons of standard coal.
6 February 2007Oil policy to be changed
In 2006 Belarus ranked 6th in terms of oil products export and now with the sharing with Russia of export duty imposed on oil products Belarus may loose such an upward trend and will eliminate the obstacle by introducing the new taxation schemes of the oil refining industry and increasing the prices for Russian oil transit by 32-34%.
6 February 2007Belarus launched benzol production
“Mozyr refinery” has launch the industrial production of benzol, with intended manufacturing capacity of 50 thousand tons per year.
24 January 2007Belarus trades with 173 countries
According to results of foreign economic activity in 2006 Belarus traded with 173 countries. The main trading partners are Russia accounting for 47.5% of the total commodity turnover, the Netherlands – for 9%, Ukraine – 5.9%, Poland – 4.3%, United Kingdom – 4%, China – 2.1%, USA – 1.7%, them come Italy and Lithuania.
24 January 2007Fuel prices growing
After the oil price increase and the reduction of Belarusian oil excise two-fold, the price for fuel in Belarus has grown up by 5% from the beginning of the new year.
23 January 2007Food processing enterprises ran unprofitable in 2006
Lossmaking enterprises of food-processing industry account for 22.4% in 2006, up by 2.4% in comparison with 2005. Although, the output increased by 6.7% making finished stock equal to 77,5% to the average monthly output.
21 January 2007Timber export increased
In 2006 Belarus has increased the export of timber by 12%, up to 89 mln.US Dollars. Among main buyers are Poland (33%), Lativa (22%) and Russia (14%). 45% of total volume of exported timber account for pulpwood, 41% – for sawn timber.
17 January 2007Sugar trading in Belarus
The Belarusian commodity exchange is going to trade in sugar intended for export. The trial trading section will show the perspectiveness and expediency of such innovation.
16 January 2007Oil dispute seems to be settled
After Russia has introduced export oil duty and claimed for revenue sharing from export by Belarus of oil products made from imported Russian crude oil, Belarus calculated the losses and introduced the oil transit duty that was recently cancelled and oil transportation to western countries resumed after three days break. As a result of this Belarusian oil products will become expensive and loose their competitiveness.
14 January 2007Belarusian Steel Works is the best in the CIS
The Belarusian Steel Works is recognized to be the best enterprise in the CIS in terms of output of metalware and considered the best in the category of “Highest achievments of metalware output in the CIS”.
5 January 2007Oil transit duties introduced
Belarus has introduced the duty of 45 US Dollars for the transit of one ton of Russian oil through the territory of Belarus.
4 January 2007Gas prices for Belarus increased
After protracted negotiations between Belarus and Russia about the gas price for 2007, on 31 December 2006 the Parties agreed for the price of 100 US Dollars per one thousand m3 of gas, twice as much as in 2006. In response, Belarus has increased twice the price for gas transit.
3 January 2007Export of sugar to Russia reduced
The export of sugar to Russia has been reduced in 2006 up to 240 thousand tons, in comparison with 400 thousand tons Belarus exported in 2005.
Now, Belarus is searching for new market outlets for sugar, since production capacities of Belarusian sugar plants amount to more than 900 thousand tons.
Chinese businessmen enter the furniture market of Belarus
Chinese corporation XY Group intends to launch the joint venture for manufacture in Pinsk of cabinet furniture and foam in the “Brest” Free Trade Zone and MDF factory, since there is no huge MDF manufacturing plant in Belarus.
28 December 2006Belarus is deprived of its trading preferences in Europe
The European Union has cancelled its preferences for trade with Belarus. Thus, Belarusian exporters will not enjoy 10% of customs duties decrease any more. Among main exports fallen under such unfavorable decision are fertilizers, textiles and timber.
26 December 2006Belarusian Oil Refineries may run unprofitably
Belarus has increased the export of oil products by 13% up to 12.351 mln tons. Among main importers are the Netherlands and Great Britain and CIS countries. Having increased the total price for oil products due to increased export duties, Belarus expected to preserve high rates of growth. However, from 1 January 2007 Russia intends to introduce export duties on oil pumped to Belarus for further oil refinery making it unprofitable.
20 December 2006Russia imposes oil export duties
From 1 January 2007 Russia is going to cancel preferences and impose duties for export of crude oil to Belarus thus protecting its own economic interests from sales of ready-made oil products and automatically increasing the cost of oil products intended for export to Europe and other countries that now accounts for 40% of the total export of Belarus.
14 December 2006New customs duties on timber
The President of Belarus has approved the rates of export customs duties for timber and timber products. Duties range from 10 up to 30 euros per square meter. For some millworks, newsprint, wood-pulp, bleached pulp zero duty shall be applied.
11 December 2006Hypermarkets are to sell more Belarusian products
The main prerequisite for new hypermarkets construction in Minsk is the larger share of goods of Belarusian origin. Today, there are four hypermarkets opened nowadays in Minsk: “Korona”, “Gippo”, “Biggs”, “Prostor”, offering its customers about 60% of Belarusian products.
11 December 2006Investments into agriculture of Belarus
Volume of investments into the agricultural complex of Belarus is expected to be increased by 37% in 2007 in comparison with 2006 and amount to 1.5 bln. euro.
The primary target of investments is the reconstruction and reequipment of dairy and livestock farms, modernization of machine and tractor fleet of households.
New pharmaceutical facilities to be established in 2006 – 2010
13 new pharmaceutical facilities are intended for production of medicines, meeting the needs of Belarus in medical products and import reduction. Thus, 4 new pharmaceutical factories will be built, 6 new facilities at enterprises of “Belbiopharm” Concern opened and 3 available production facilities renovated and reequipped.
4 December 2006Quotas for export of Belarusian textiles increased
The European Commission has increased the import quotas of Belarusian textiles by 10 — 20% for 2007 depending on the category of goods. Thus, the volume of linen fabrics deliveries shall be increased by 20%, of cotton — by 10%, of trousers, women coats, jackets and costumes — by 10% as well. Other textiles quotas shall be up by 4 — 5%.
4 December 2006World producers of consumer goods are welcomed to Belarus
During the last meeting on trade cooperation, the President of the Republic of Belarus encouraged the manufacture of import substituting consumer goods with active involvement of world producers. That will allow to reduce the negative balance of foreign trade that Belarus now experiences
1 December 2006Certification according to international quality standards
By the year 2010 more than 5 thousand kinds of products, including in machine and instrument building, medical equipment, construction materials, toys will correspond to the international and European quality standards. Today, about 1 thousand kinds of products are CE-certified, about 770 Belarusian enterprises have introduced ISO-9000 standards, 88 — ISO-14001, about 70 food-making enterprises have certified its products by the HACCP system, only 5 enterprises operate according to OHSAS-18001 standard, and 4 pharmaceutical plants have launched the international GMP standard.
27 November 2006Innovation development of Belarus for 2006 — 1010
The programme of innovation development of Belarus for 2006 — 1010 stipulates the renovation of about 500 industrial enterprises, contruction of 380 new production facilities with the use of new and advanced technologies. The primary aim is to introduce import-substituting and science-intensive technologies that will allow the Belarusian products to be competitive on the international arena.
27 November 2006Real unemployment rate
According to official statistics of unemployment in Belarus, in 2006 the unemployment rate accounts for 1.3% of active population that is 56.4 thousand persons. But the real situation is different and the number of unemployed amounts to 372 thousand individuals, including those working unofficially and abroad, and seeking for well-paid work and housewives. Thus, the real rate is obviously higher — 8.6%.
21 November 2006Prospective FDI potential
According to the UNCTAD World Investments Report 2005, Belarus ranks 113th from 188 countries in terms of real attraction of foreign direct investments. The investment potential is assessed to be higher — 50th, but nevertheless, foreign investors are not much enthusiastic about really investing into Belarusian economy.
13 November 2006Belarusian toys market situation
The Belarusian toys market is assessed to amount to 15 mln. US Dollars. About 13% of the toys market accounts for toys of Belarusian origin and 60% — of Chinese that toys are lately considered as unsafe and of low quality. The situation is to be changed, and the toy making concept designed in such a ways so that to make toys with national and cultural background, bringing up a child to love family and society, respect each other, and developing creativity.
10 November 2006Belarus ranks 67th in terms of human development
According to the UN Human Development Report 2006, Belarus ranks 67th among 177 countries, thus being second after Russia (65th) among CIS countries. Ukraine ranks 77th.
Belarus human development index amounts to 0.786 that is much closer to 0.800 — the upper level of human development, with such main indicators: life expectancy — 68.2 years, literacy — 99.6% of population, education — 88% of population, gross domestic product — 6.97 thousand US Dollars that is up by 15% in comparison with 2005.
Belarus corruption perception index
According to the 2006 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) made by Transparency International (TI), Belarus ranks 151st from 163 countries of the world (107th in 2005), with the CPI equaling 2.1, confidence range being 1.9 – 2.2.
7 November 2006Modernization of canning factories to be expected in the coming 3-5 years
Being rich in fruits and vegetables Belarus is bound to benefit from new processing technologies.
Following the heavy crop this year in Belarus, the majority of processing factories were unable to process such volumes of products grown, with nothing to say about private initiative for this sphere of interest and investment.