OREANDA-NEWS. December 2, 2008. Russian Sberbank (Savings Bank of the Russian Federation) thinks about buying or opening a new bank in Belarus, Sberbank Chairman of the Board German Gref told media on December 2.

In his words, in the nearest future Sberbank of Russia will contact the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus with a view to determining ways to enter the market. German Gref was confident the parties will be able to come to an understanding regarding the issue on mutually beneficial terms.

Speaking about his meeting with Belarusian head of state Alexander Lukashenko, Sberbank’s CEO underscored, “The President of Belarus expressed an interest in our presence on the Belarusian market. We were given an approval of our future possible presence here”.

Among the CIS states the Belarusian market is one of the most prioritised and interesting ones, said German Gref.