MINSK, 6 August (BelTA) – Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky met with representatives of Fishman Group. “I initiated this meeting to urge you to speed up the IT-Park project,” Sergei Sidorsky said. Belarus announced an open tender to construct the IT-Park in 2008 and Fishman Group showed willingness to take part in the project. The total volume of investment was estimated at ?550 million. “More than two years have passed since the project was launched, and I do not see that work is picking up pace on the project. Just over $1 million has been invested in the project since then,” the Prime Minister said. He also reminded those attending that in accordance with the investment agreement, the development of the park should be completed in 2014. The Prime Minister also noted that Belarus has been honoring its commitments under the contracts. “I held several working meetings with representatives of your company in Belarus. I asked you to submit a step-by-step schedule to the government. Unfortunately, according to the schedule, in 2014 you plan to implement only the first phase of the project with the investment of just over ?100 million, which does not solve the problem defined in the investment agreement,” Sergei Sidorsky said. The Belarusian side understands that there are the difficulties that have been caused by the global financial crisis. “I am sympathetic to the proposals which you presented to the government. That is why I wanted to meet with you to consider the period, the pace, phases of the work so that we could complete the investment project in time,” Sergei Sidorsky said addressing Eyal Fishman, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Fishman Group. The Prime Minister stressed the Belarusian side is ready to consider additional support to Fishman Group if needed. Possibly, another scheme will be used to shore up the whole investment project. Sergei Sidorsky agreed to get familiar with this scheme and take a decision. “I have already notified Fishman Group representatives which issues I would like to discuss with your company,” the Premier stressed. He also added: “Let’s discuss and adjust the decisions made in 2008. I would like the project to be given a boost”. “The park will be built anyway. I am waiting for your proposals,” the PM concluded. According to Eyal Fishman, the implementation of the project will take more time than it was initially planned. He stressed the delay had not been caused by the global economic crisis. In his words, the project was delayed because of the bureaucratic procedures. Eyal Fishman stated that all necessary conditions for the IT park construction have been finally created. Fishman Group has a multi-branch holding structure. The company’s subsidiaries operate over 5 million square meters of commercial, industrial and housing property. In recent years the company has made great strides in the international market, particularly in real estate and retail. In 2002 it initiated major projects in Russia, Ukraine and India.

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