The “Week” program has met the main person in the Economic Commission for Europe, the executive secretary, in order to learn in detail what projects can be realized and why integration is becoming a sign of modern times.
Mr. Bach, today I just saw the announcement of the conference on the ECE’s official page on social media. The Bolshoi Theatre is an interesting choice. Did you begin to learn about Belarus from the theatre?
Christian Friis Bach, the Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe of the UN:
“Yes, we are really discovering Minsk and Belarus for ourselves, but not only in terms of beauty, but also as the center for dialogue. Minsk is now known, thanks to the initiatives undertaken by your president, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, as the center for the dialogue between the West and the East. Presently, when the world is storming and a lot of countries are building walls, in Minsk there are new bridges being built for enhancing cooperation and economic integration in the region.”
Many people have no idea what influence ECE has on our everyday life: from buying apples in a supermarket to seatbelts in the car.
Christian Friis Bach:
“You really come in contact with our organization, for example, when you are buying apples or cucumbers, driving a car or crossing borders. All these unified norms and standards of safety and quality in the sphere of trade, power industry, customs cooperation and others have been developed and implemented by the Economic Commission for Europe. These practical decisions help people in different countries to perform transit and trade with each other. This gives hope. I notice in Minsk that there is a desire to work together and not to fight with each other.”
Does Belarus conform to these international standards? Have you already had an opportunity to try some of our products, for example?
Christian Friis Bach:
“It is my third time here this year, and I am always glad to be here, I am impressed by the hospitality, good food and talented people. It is an honor to be here. And I especially admire the aspiration of your government to engage in a dialogue in these challenging times.
Recently Minsk has really proved itself in such a peacekeeping way as kind of a quiet and stable place. Do you feel it here?
Christian Friis Bach:
“I feel safe. The people are very benevolent, and that makes me feel at home. And we are grateful that we cooperate with Belarus in so many directions: trade, transport, power, green economy. It is like the street with two-way traffic. We help each other to implement and develop these international norms and standards.”
We are trying to develop green economy. How successful are our attempts?
Christian Friis Bach:
“10 years ago many companies perceived business and green economy as something opposite. But today it is possible to combine these. If we are building solar batteries and wind generators, recycling waste, on the contrary, we will create more opportunities for work. Not only is it ecological, it is even economically reasonable. We are happy about how seriously Belarus is implementing the principles of green economy, and we see big prospects in the further joint development of this sphere.”
ECE is doing a lot to remove the barriers for international goods flow. Are there any difficulties for the access of Belarusian products to the European market?
Christian Friis Bach:
“There are still a lot of barriers, and it not only customs duties, but also technical moments – bureaucracy, a lot of documents to be filled in. Every day we work on the removal of these barriers so that countries can trade freely. Belarus has now taken a lot of steps to improve the business climate. The economic policy of your country is creating more and more opportunities for doing business here. We are very glad to see such progress here.”
Is there a demand for Belarussian goods in Europe?
Christian Friis Bach:
“The Belarusian goods are in demand not just in Europe, but in the world. If you keep developing the export potential, it will be also favourable for the citizens’ welfare. A lot of goods definitely meet international standards. And for our part, we will facilitate that. For example, agricultural products, certainly, can occupy a niche on the European market.”
By the way, you have a degree in Agriculture. How do you estimate the achievements of our country in the agricultural sphere?
Christian Friis Bach:
“I am a farmer and an economist. And I know that your president is also a very skilled farmer. I hope we will have an opportunity to exchange the experience. In the agricultural sector in Belarus there are a lot of opportunities for producing what will be in demand abroad. I have tried some products at one of the exhibitions, and I can say with certainty that it is ready for the international market.”
You have been in Belarus three times and have already created your own opinion about our country. Will you advise investors to come here and to work in Belarus?
Christian Friis Bach:
“We can observe in the international rating Doing Business, how quickly Belarus has gone up, thanks to good economic policy and the development of public-private partnership. Of course, your experience of the public-private partnership development has already inspired other countries. I observed at the international conferences how high the interest is in the steps that Belarus has taken in the public-private partnership development. So you are doing great and you can be an example for other countries.”
You travel all over the world and you visit Belarus quite often. Perhaps, next time you will think of a tourist itinerary in addition to business meetings?
Christian Friis Bach:
“I would visit the rural area in Belarus with pleasure. You know, I am a farmer, so that I would like to know your nature. I always feel at home here. And I hope one day I will even be able to come over with my wife and children and to show them the beauty of your country.”
Source: ctv.by