BREST, 13 August (BelTA) – The concept of free economic zones can make a global hub out of the European one near Minsk. Freddy Opsomer, Vice President of the World Free & Special Economic Zones Federation (FEMOZA), made the statement on the air of the TV channel ONT, BelTA has learned.
Apart from working as a FEMOZA executive, Freddy Opsomer is an investor interested in Belarus. The Belgian believes that in the future the site near the Minsk National Airport can become a hub for European companies, which intend to secure their own position as part of the new Silk Road. “I think Belarus is at a good starting point, I am convinced of it, first of all, due to its location on the new Silk Road, which connects Asia and Europe. I believe Belarus should create a genuine European hub for manufacturing and trade. The concept of free economic zones can make the project global,” the expert believes.
Freddy Opsomer noted that a number of factors are needed to attract potential investors. “You have to understand that supranational companies don't look at one country. In this area they may consider Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus. Business environment is what matters for them. I am not talking about land because one can find a good piece of land anywhere. I am talking about work conditions, researches going on in the country, and the quality of life. It is important whether people can communicate in English, German, or French or not. So there is a set of factors: companies want to find fertile ground for business,” said the FEMOZA vice president.
In his words, experts believe that European companies have a strong interest in Belarus, this is why the project to make a hub near Minsk can be implemented within several years.
