Belarus and Austria have been working closely together on energy, mechanical engineering, health care, industrial cooperation and intend to further develop these relations. A major economic forum with company representatives of three countries — Belarus, Russia and Austria — has been held in Minsk.
Alexander Lukashenko attaches great importance to these negotiations. In the morning the President of Belarus, while meeting the delegation of influential Austrian politicians, has suggested opening a new page in cooperation between Minsk and Vienna. Moreover, the EU is taking steps towards it.
There have been more than a hundred representatives of successful Austrian, Russian and Belarusian companies of different spheres from agriculture to high technology. It has become obvious that everyone expects from this meeting concrete economic results. And the participants know firsthand the business climate in Belarus. Roman Himmler represents here the interests of company “Kapsch”, which has 280 projects in 45 countries, including Belarus. Two years ago it was “Kapsch” that invested about 270 million euros to create in our country a system of electronic toll collection — Beltoll.
Roman Himmler, Manager Business Development of Kapsch TrafficCom AG: “This project was very successful, and at once for the two sides. Those investments that were made, bring income and benefits for our states. Of course, this depends on the Belarusian side, but we would like to continue implementing similar projects in your country.”
Some investors claim they are ready to go even further. Holding “Birch” is a leading European supplier of boiler and energy technology has been being for 12 years on the Belarusian market. 4 years ago a representative office of the industrial giant was opened in Minsk. But plans are more ambitious, for example, a co-production on the basis of one of the Belarusian enterprises.
The Belarusian-Austrian relations mostly have an investment character. Last year, Austria invested 500 million dollars in the Belarusian economy, 200 million of it was direct investments in the form of supply of high-tech equipment and technology. With the participation of Strabag Company three years ago a modern waste processing plant was launched in Brest, from which electricity and heat could be produced. Low energy, alternative sources, forest products, machinery construction, information technology – the Austrians used to investing definitely in promising spheres, which bring dividends. Commercial banks and the largest mobile operator, insurance agencies – nearly 130 companies with the Austrian capital operate in Belarus.
Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber: “I do see that the role of Belarus is a role of a bridge, the bridge between the EU and the EAEU in order to create stable conditions for functioning of the economy and to make the EU and the Eurasian Union closer. And this tripartite economic forum gives impetus to it. ”
Huge preferences, tax privileges, government guarantees and political stability – the policy to create favorable conditions for doing business will be even further developed – the Austrian guests have been assured by Alexander Lukashenko. The President gave an example of a successful cooperation. Belarusian Steel Works, built 30 years ago with the participation of Austrian companies, today continue to receive financial and technological support from the partners. The President supports such cooperation and reminds that the cooperation should be mutually beneficial.
Karlheinz Kopf, First Deputy Chairman of the National Council of Austria: “I am sure that there are no chance coincidences, our meeting is a fortuitous combination of circumstances. Last Sunday you won a clear-cut victory in the presidential election, yesterday the European Union made the first step towards the lifting of sanctions. I believe that all this will be followed by other steps, and a new page in our relationship will open. ”
The legal framework is also the basis for the strengthening of economic ties. Today, the countries are linked by 12 agreements. Last year, the Business Council came into action. Under its auspices in November in Vienna the first economic forum was hosted. The tradition is being continued in Minsk. The venue is a signal for cooperation. The Austrian and Belarusian trade turnover in 2014 reached $ 310 million. However, businessmen are confident that this figure can be increased.
Alexander Nahaenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: “Without mentioning companies’ names, I think that the largest contract that will be signed on the results of these negotiations will be the contract of 300 million dollars.”
The Austrians in business are well known for their meticulous, measure thrice and cut once – is all about them. That is why during today's meetings there has been talk of concrete projects, but under no circumstances will its names as well as amounts of investment be openly discussed, only when contracts are signed. And it is not a matter of superstition, but a truly European pragmatism.
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