MINSK, 12 October (BelTA) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development intends to expand cooperation with Belarus and increase the number of operations, EBRD First Vice-President Jurgen Rigterink said as he met with Belarus' Economy Minister Dmitry Krutoi, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Economy Ministry.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the annual sessions of the Joint Ministerial Committee of the Boards of Governors of the IMF and the World Bank Group. Dmitry Krutoi and Jurgen Rigterink discussed the implementation of the EBRD strategy in Belarus in 2016-2019. “Dmitry Krutoi noted significant progress in cooperation between Belarus and the bank, which resulted in the growth of EBRD annual investments,” the Economy Ministry noted.
Dmitry Krutoi also met with Georgina Baker, Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Central Asia. He thanked the IFC for advisory support to the Belarusian government in improving the business environment.
“The minister confirmed that Belarus is ready to continue cooperating with the IFC in supporting small and medium-sized businesses, including in the context of the EU grants allocated in accordance with the financing agreement between the Belarusian government and the EU,” the Economy Ministry added.
Dmitry Krutoi noted that given its capacities, the International Finance Corporation can increase financial resources to private companies and bolster financial support to small and medium-sized businesses.
