30 March 2010
US businessmen hail positive changes in Belarus’ investment climate
MINSK, 30 March (BelTA) – American businessmen praise positive changes in the investment climate of Belarus, David Baron, shareholder at the Greenberg Traurig law firm, said during a meeting between Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky and top executives of several major United Stated companies. “I have attended Belarusian investment forums. It is obvious that the investment climate and legislation have been upgraded recently,” said David Baron. He added that the meeting of top executives of several major USA companies with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on 29 March “proves that it is a historic moment for the renewal of relations between the two countries.” David Baron thanked Sergei Sidorsky for the meeting and opportunity to discuss the cooperation prospects. The meeting will result in new US investments in Belarus, said the American businessman. “It is high time that the export of Belarusian goods to the US market were restored,” said David Baron. The United States is Belarus’ leading investor topped by Russia and Lithuania in the number of joint ventures and foreign companies in Belarus (over 300). Such United Stated companies as Coca-Cola, and McDonalds and some others have invested heavily in such companies as Spartak, Mogilev Steel Works and Beldentko. In 2009 Belarus attracted $54 million of the United States investments, including $35 million of direct ones. At the moment the Belarusian companies are expanding the investment cooperation with the US vehicle components manufactures (Navistar, Arvin Meritor), and Caterpillar.БЕЛТА