WEEKLY DIGEST OF BELARUSIAN NEWS

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WEEKLY DIGEST OF BELARUSIAN NEWS

March 13, 2008

NATIONAL NEWS

Belarus Goes on Path of Stable Economic Growth

On March 13, 2008 Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, held a working meeting with Sergei Sidorsky, Prime Minister of Belarus. The Prime Minister informed the Head of State about the current economic development of the country.

Sergei Sidorsky stressed that Belarus’ GDP increased by 9.9 percent in January-February this year. He noticed that the two-month performance shows that the industrial investment programs are to yield qualitative results within 2008. The Prime Minister added that in January-February the industrial manufacture was 12-13 percent up.

Belarus’ foreign trade last year amounted to $58 billion. In January 2008, the trade reached $5 billion, $2 billion more as against the same period 2007. Belarus has boosted exports of machinery construction products, high-technology equipment and farm products, mainly to Russia, Ukraine and EU countries.

In January-February, capital investments grew 12 percent over the same period last year.

Housing construction has been gathering momentum in the country. According to the Prime Minister, there are opportunities to construct more than 5 million square metes in 2008. The volume of construction and assembly jobs has been growing on the heels of a strong inflow of investments.

In February the inflation came to 0.7 percent which is a good indicator considering the global processes such as mortgage crisis, growing prices for foodstuffs.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Belarus Delegation Attending the 7th session of the UN Human Rights Council

On 3–28 March 2008 Geneva plays host to the 7th session of the UN Human Rights Council attended by a Belarusian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Viktar Gaisenak.

On 4 March the head of the Belarus delegation spoke at the high-level meeting and highlighted principal approaches of Belarus to human rights problems within the United Nations.

In his address, Viktar Gaisenak backed the UN Human Rights Council that seeks in a constructive manner to restore fair, equitable and unbiased environment in the consideration of human rights under the UN auspices. It was hence noted that the Council would shortly launch a process of universal periodic review that would involve human rights monitoring in every single country of the world based on mutually respectful dialogue.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus also spoke about one-sided coercive economic and political measures used by several countries that infringed on the rights of countries to development, in breach of the fundamental rights of their citizens affected by such measures. The Belarusian representative urged the Council to play an active role in opposing one-sided coercive measures.

As an imperative challenge that has an impact on the destinies of hundreds of thousands across the world, Viktar Gaisenak identified human trafficking. It was highlighted that Belarus used much effort under the international organisations and domestically to combat trade in “human commodities”. However, the global nature of the phenomenon requires concerted and committed efforts. The speaker said that Belarus comprehensively supported HRC activities in combating human trafficking.

During his stay in Geneva, Viktar Gaisenak met heads of Egyptian, Cuban, Sri-Lankan, Slovakian delegations bilaterally. The meetings were held to discuss co-operation between Belarus and those countries and its prospects on a bilateral level and within the international organizations.

The Belarusian diplomat also held meetings with Brunson McKinlay, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Pirkka Kurula, European Director of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and debated pressing issues of co-operation between Belarus and those organizations.

Belarus and European Commission Sign Agreement

On 7 March 2008, Brussels hosted an official ceremony of signing of the Agreement between the Republic of Belarus and the Commission of the European Communities on the establishment, privileges and immunities of the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities in the Republic of Belarus and its temporary application.

Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Voronetsky signed the Agreement on behalf of the Republic of Belarus. On behalf of the European Commission, the Agreement was signed by EC member for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Valery Varanetski said to reporters while commenting the event that the opening of the European Commission’s office in Minsk will allow Belarus and the European Union to enter a more serious and pragmatic level of relations.

NATO Praises Belarus’ Activity in Partnership for Peace Program

On February 26-29, Belarus partook in the Partnership for Peace Planning and Review Process (PARP). In line with Belarus-NATO Individual Partnership Program for 2008-2009, a NATO delegation arrived in Belarus to hold consultations on the issue of Belarus’ participation in PARP.

The consultations considered Belarus’ activity in PARP and NATO proposals on a new package of Belarus’ Partnership Goals. The consultations adopted new goals aimed, first of all, at planning and organizing the logistical support of the peace-making subdivisions outside Belarus.

Attending the consultations were troops commanders, representatives of the Defense Ministry structural subdivisions involved in practical implementation of Belarus’ Partnership Goals. The NATO delegation also got familiar with the system of training Belarusian peace-making military staff.

According to the Defense Ministry of Belarus, NATO officials praised the activity of Belarus in the Partnership for Peace program, highly assessed the results of Belarus’ activity aimed at the implementation of partnership goals and showed interest in further development of the constructive dialogue.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

Belarus JSC Gomel Glass Works Starts Building Second 104.5 Million-Euro Float-Glass Line

Belarus’ JSC Gomel Glass Works starts building a second line to produce float-glass, worth 104.5 million euros, with a daily capacity of 700-780 tons.

In March 2008, the company will receive expert review and authorization to begin the construction. The construction is planned to take up to 40 months. The architectural design has been prepared by Germany’s DTEK and feasibility study for investment was provided by Belarusian Institute of Industrial Design.

Gomel Glass Works has been founded in 1933 and today is Belarus’ only producer of float-glass, with a capacity of more than 18 million square meters a year.

To learn more about and contact the company, please visit http://www.gomelglass.com.

Belarus, China to start $800 Million Investment Projects in 2008

Belarus and China will launch investment projects totaling about $800 million in 2008.

Trade turnover between the two countries may reach $2 billion this year if the parties manage to complete all projects.

In 2006, trade between Belarus and China reached $1 billion, and in 2007, a new record of $1.5 billion was reached.

Belarus plans to expand its diplomatic presence in China and open its consulate general in Shanghai this year.

Government of Belarus and Russia’s Joint-Stock Financial Corporation Sistema Sign General Agreement on Cooperation

The Government of Belarus and Russia’s Joint-Stock Corporation Sistema signed General Agreement on Cooperation on March 13, 2008.

The main goal of the General Agreement is to attract investments to Belarus through the implementation of economically viable and socially significant investment projects in a number of industries. The main idea is that AFK Sistema will bring its technology and investment to promote mutually beneficial business relations and implement social projects in Belarus.

The agreement identifies eight most important areas of joint work. According to Mr. Alexander Goncharuk, President of Sistema, the corporation is interested in cooperation with Belarusian companies in various areas such as high-tech, real estate, construction and banking business. Alexander Goncharuk also told to reporters that the corporation has already some presence in Belarus, in Mobile TeleSystems. So, we know the rules of Belarus’ market, we like to work here, we like Belarus and we would like to increase our presence in the country. He clarified that all eight areas of the cooperation foreseen by the General Agreement are connected with high-tech area.

Belarusian Small Business Bank to Open in April

The Belarusian small business bank will open in Minsk in April this year, Mr. Michael Davey, the EBRD Director for the Caucasus, Belarus and Moldova, said recently during his trip to Mogilev oblast of Belarus.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is the main sponsor and driving force behind the new financial institution, which will focus on the support, and financing of small business.

According to Mr. Michael Davey, the new bank will promote the development of small business in Belarus and expand the presence and opportunities of the EBRD in the financial market of the country. Recently the EBRD has significantly increased the volume of financing which is carried out through five banks of the country. Last year alone, the Bank invested around $120 million in the economy of Belarus, which is more than in the pervious four years altogether. “This shows that the economy of Belarus has been growing stronger,” Mr. Michael Davey said.

EU Business Salutes Golden Share Rule Removal in Belarus

The removal of the golden share rule in Belarus is a good sign for European business communities James Wilson, President of the Belarus-EU Business Council told media in Minsk on March 6.

James Wilson said that the fact demonstrates that one can do business in Belarus. “The decision of your country walks in step with general processes of rising competitive ability on international market. If Belarus wants to support its competitive ability, this decision is very logical,” he said.

SOCIETY, SCIENCE AND CULTURE

Nomination Portfolio of Polotsk Landmarks and Augustow Canal are submitted for UNESCO expertise

Nomination portfolio “Tangible Spiritual Heritage of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk” and trans-border (Belarusian-Polish) facility “Augustow Canal: a work of nature and a human being” have been recently submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

The nomination portfolio will be examined by UNESCO experts who will come to Belarus to discuss the matter on the site after which the given historical specimen are to be inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The material for the nomination portfolio “Fortifications of the Brest Fortress” is being currently prepared. The plans on the table are to draw up the portfolios “Specimen of Wooden Architecture of Polesye” and “Fortified Churches of Belarus”, the main sites being located in the Vitebsk, Gomel and Grodno oblasts. In line with the program on developing culture by 2012 Belarus intends to make portfolios of five more landmarks for submitting to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. At present four historical specimens located on the territory of Belarus have been included in the World Heritage List – the Belovezhskaya Puscha (1979), the Mir Castle (2000), the architectural-cultural complex of the residence of the Radzivills in Nesvizh and the Struve Arc (2005).

Bioresources Centre Opens at Zoology Institute of National Academy of Sciences

Mikhail Nikiforov, Acting Director of Belarus’ Scientific-Practical Bioresources Centre, tells recently to reporters that several scientific institutes are being united to solve environmental issues more effectively. The Institute of Experimental Botany and the Central Botanical Garden and Forestry Institute will be helping experts at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus strengthening co-operation between various scientific and production organizations and enterprises and enhancing the efficiency of scientific investigations.

“The latest environmentally friendly innovations and energy saving technologies need to be implemented in Belarus’ factories. Previously, each institute only addressed its own particular problems; now, we can share our knowledge and experience for the common good. This will benefit the whole economy,” asserts Mr. Nikiforov. The new centre should encourage innovative projects and stop the duplication of work; it will be equipped with the latest equipment, including that for conducting molecular and genetic investigations. A common research and development base will be formed with multi-access centers. The Zoology Institute possesses great experience in assessing and monitoring the biological diversity of Belarus’ fauna, with specialists studying the intricate relationships in the animal and plant world, as well as the nature of internal and external parasites and carriers of transmissible diseases. They are also developing systems with which to monitor the protected nature reserves. The centre is being equipped with the latest technical resources.

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