FDI in Minsk Oblast up 1.5 times in H1 2012

MINSK, 12 September (BelTA) – The total amount of direct foreign investment (FDI) in the economy of Minsk Oblast increased 1.5 times in H1 2012 as against the same period last year and reached almost $243 million, BelTA learnt from the economy committee of the Minsk oblast executive committee.

In the first six months of the year net FDI (notwithstanding indebtedness to a direct investor on goods and services) in the regional economy from 47 countries amounted to $51.9 million.

According to the specialists, FDI is the most popular form of investment with the participation of foreign capital. It helps implement big and important projects and makes an alternative to credit resources, an additional currency incoming, an effective instrument of implementing innovative technologies guaranteeing an access to foreign markets.

In H1 the biggest countries-investors were Lithuania (21.3% of the total FDI), Russia (19.1%), Cyprus (11.2%), Iran (8.7%), the UK (7.9%). FDI inflows grew from Armenia (up 172.5%), Germany (192.7%), China (5.5 times), Lebanon (3 times), Austria (3.6 times).