OREANDA-NEWS. November 22, 2012. Belarus is ready to establish joint companies and get integrated into transnational corporations, Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich said at a plenary session at Belarus Investment Forum.

“We are ready to establish joint companies, build factories together and get integrated into transnational corporations. Belarus has opened its economy to foreign investment, mutually beneficial cooperation and collaboration,” the Prime Minister said. This willingness is expressed primarily through the development of the modern regulatory framework, de-bureaucratization and efficient cooperation of the Belarusian authorities with business.

Foreign business already has nearly 6,000 enterprises in Belarus. Last year they made more than USD 1 billion in profit. Half of this amount is reinvested. "This means that the corporations that have arrived on our market understand that they were right to come here, they develop business and invest their money here. We thank you for that,” he said addressing the business community.

Belarus is happy to welcome over 600 forum participants from 30 countries. These are representatives of nearly 350 companies with the total capitalization of more than USD 2 trillion. “You have made the right choice to come here. This is a choice in favor of cooperation and partnership in the center of Europe between the European Union and Eurasia,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.

The Premier named the main advantages of investing in Belarus: good infrastructure, strong and powerful energy system, a well-developed system of roads and logistics, good doing business conditions.

Mikhail Myasnikovich stressed that the 2013 targets are ambitious. The government and the National Bank have developed a joint program of action to achieve them. This document will be presented to the general public for peer discussion in mid-December. The head of government called on businessmen to voice their proposals and ideas on this mater.

Belarus seeks to raise more than USD 20 billion in capital investments in 2013. The head of government said that in 2011 the volume of capital investment amounted to USD 17.6 billion, in 2012 it is expected no less. "Belarus needs an inflow of foreign direct investment to raise USD 20.4 billion in 2013. The volume of FDI should be within the range of USD 4.5 billion,” underscored the head of government.

Hopes for new investment are also connected with the ongoing 7th Belarusian Investment Forum in Minsk. According to the PM, attending the forum are 615 participants from 33 countries. Among the participants are 430 organizations, including 250 companies with the total capitalization of more than USD 2 trillion.