MINSK, 20 October (BelTA) – In the last three years the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has signed agreements with chambers of commerce and industry from 35 countries, which are classified as new markets. Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Ulakhovich made the statement before the tenth congress of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 20 October, BelTA has learned.
The new markets include Algeria, Brazil, Mozambique and other countries. “By signing partnership agreements with the chambers of these countries we create the foundation for cooperation and provide support to our companies, which are moving into new markets,” said Vladimir Ulakhovich. He specified that those are markets where Belarusian diplomatic missions are not present. Belarusian companies are trying to penetrate these markets to diversify sales.
Asked about prospects of exploring the Eurasian Economic Union market, Vladimir Ulakhovich noted: “It is a very important topic but the harmonization of our legislation does not easily proceed. We cannot come to terms as easily as we would like. Nevertheless, our specialists work as experts virtually in ten committees of the Eurasian Economic Commission, including committees on entrepreneurship and customs procedures. We have the expert resources and represent our business community over there. It is one of the key prospects.”
According to Vladimir Ulakhovich, the European vector is also very important for the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “We understand that this market is very complicated from the point of view of having to license Belarusian products and our access to the market. Unfortunately, European partners resort to all kinds of restrictions and limitations against our exports. On the other hand, Belarusian companies are motivated to adopt top quality standards in a bid to penetrate the European Union market,” said the official. He also noted that partners of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have been demonstrating growing interest in Belarus in the last few years. “Business forums involving French, Spanish and Italian companies have been held in the last 12 months,” said the Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Speaking about what the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has achieved in the last three years, Vladimir Ulakhovich said that 639 companies became members of the Chamber in this period. The Chamber and its branches held about 2,000 foreign economic events such as business matchmaking sessions, expos, business forums and so on. “The latest business forum in Pakistan is a good example. The companies signed contracts worth roughly $60 million during the forum,” said the head of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also mentioned the development of the Digital Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry project and the penetration of distant-arc markets
At present the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry unites 2,083 enterprises. Non-state and mixed-ownership enterprises represent about 80% of the total while self-employed businessmen constitute 4% of the total.
