Belarus interested in UAE investments

MINSK, 28 March (BelTA) – The United Arab Emirates with its ample financial resources are viewed by Belarus as a very promising investor, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Valentin Rybakov told reporters on 28 March, BelTA has learnt.

Valentin Rybakov noted that Belarus can offer lucrative projects in infrastructure development, agriculture, manufacturing industry, real estate and other fields.

He emphasized that the efforts to promote bilateral cooperation are already bearing fruit in the form of Emirati financial resources invested in the Belarusian economy. In 2012 the UAE invested $22.6 million in Belarus, up 3.6 times over 2011, including $1.7 million in FDI. The United Arab Emirates sent five delegations to the 7th Belarusian Investment Forum that was held in Minsk in November 2012. The delegations represented major Emirati holding companies, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abu-Dhabi and the Economy Ministry of the UAE.

In 2012 Belarus engaged in talks with Al Habtoor Holding Group, one of the biggest Emirati companies, to discuss a large-scale pilot project in real estate in Minsk. “Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, visited Belarus in October 2012, met with the Belarusian Premier and got a very good impression of investment opportunities of our country,” the Deputy Foreign Minister said.

Valentin Rybakov informed that Belarus is holding talks with other potential investors. “Yesterday, on 27 March, a Belarusian delegation featuring representatives of the Economy Ministry, the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Agency of Investment and Privatization presented trade, economic and investment opportunities of Belarus at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Dubai. The presentation aroused a deep interest in Emirati businessmen. I am convinced that our efforts will translate in a bigger trade turnover and mutually beneficial investment projects,” the Deputy Foreign Minister said.