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WEEKLY DIGEST
OF BELARUSIAN NEWS
October 15, 2007
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NATIONAL NEWS
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Nuclear Power Plant and Renewable Energy Resources to Ensure
National Security of Belarus
On October
11, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met with the Government to
discuss the construction of the nuclear power plant in Belarus. At the
opening ceremony, the President noted: “We have come to the decision that to
ensure our national security we have no other alternative but to create our
own nuclear power engineering industry; but we will also be developing such
areas as the utilization of renewable energy resources”. The discussion was
focused on the course of preparatory work currently in progress for the
construction of a nuclear power plant in Belarus.
Belarus
considers offers of three groups of foreign companies as potential
constructors of the domestic nuclear power plant. In particular, offers of
American-Japanese, French-German and Russian groups of companies are being
considered. Participation of Ukraine in the project is also possible.
The
potential construction sites are Krasnopolyanskaya and Kukshinovskaya. The
final reports about the sites’ feasibility will be made in 2008. It is not
ruled out that none of the sites will be approved. Therefore, other options
are being considered as well.
The
President instructed the Government to start getting ready for a nuclear
power plant tender. A plant to be built in Belarus will comprise two
water-cooled reactors with the capacity of 1.000MW each. These will be the
reactors of the third generation meeting internationals safety standards.
Belarus is
expected to build a nuclear plant of the 2.000MW capacity by 2020. During
the meeting, issues related to design works, scientific support of the
project, personnel training and maintenance of the plant were also
discussed.
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INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
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Belarus
Participates in High-Level Dialogue on Interreligious and Intercultural
Understanding and Cooperation for Peace
On October
3-7, the Belarusian delegation headed by Viktar Gaisenak, Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Belarus, took part in the 62nd session of the United
Nations General Assembly in New York.
On October
4, Belarus’ Deputy Foreign Minister addressed the participants of the
High-Level Dialogue on Interreligious and Intercultural Understanding and
Cooperation for Peace.
Victar
Gaisenak confirmed Belarus’ commitment to strengthening interreligious and
intercultural dialogue based on the principles of understanding, equal
rights and tolerance. Respect for the right of states to preserve cultural
identity and for peoples to freely determine their own ways of development
was the core of the international dialogue and an inalienable element of
maintaining international peace and security, he said.
The Deputy
Foreign Minister noted that Belarus was a multi-national and
multi-confessional state and had over 140 ethnic groups and 3,000 religious
organizations representing 25 confessions, protected by law and practical
measures. He mentioned the adoption and successful implementation of the
Government’s 2006-2010 program of development of the confessional sphere,
national relations and cooperation with compatriots abroad.
Victar
Gaisenak pointed out that Belarus was consistently taking concrete measures
in the UN aimed at enhancing religious and cultural understanding. Belarus
was among the first states to join the UNESCO Convention on the Protection
and Promotion of the Cultural Expressions. Belarus had traditionally
co-sponsored all resolutions adopted by the General Assembly promoting
dialogue among civilizations, he said. In June 2007, Belarus participated in
the Trilateral Forum for Interreligious Cooperation for Peace and the
Ministerial Meeting on Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace.
The
Belarusian diplomat mentioned the Tehran Ministerial Meeting of Non-Aligned
Movement member states, which had focused on cultural diversity and human
rights. Consideration by NAM of intercultural dialogue and cooperation
issues, he said, was a proof that the topic was one of the keys to promoting
sustainable development and understanding at the national, regional and
global levels.
The
Belarusian diplomat stated that adoption of the Tehran Declaration and
Program of Action for Human Rights and Cultural Diversity as well setting up
of the NAM Center for Human Rights and Cultural Diversity were of great
importance both for NAM and the world community as a whole.
European Commission Delegation Visits Belarus
The
European Commission delegation lead by Mrs. Hilde Hardeman, Head of the Unit
for Relations with Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus at the European Commission’s
External Relations Directorate-General visited Belarus on October 10-11.
The
delegation held meetings with representatives of the Presidential
Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus to discuss a
wide range of issues on interaction between Belarus and the European
Commission.
Belarus & UNICEF Discuss Issues of Cooperation
Deputy
Foreign Minister of Belarus Viktar Gaisenak met recently with Kul Gautam,
Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in
New York to discuss different avenues of cooperation between Belarus and the
United Nations at national and international levels.
Particular
attention was paid to interaction in combating trafficking in children.
UNICEF intends to include the issue of curbing trade in children and sexual
abuse into the curriculum of the International centre for training in
combating human trafficking and illicit migration, which was opened in 2007
in Minsk under support of the International Organization for Migration
(IOM).
UNICEF and
IOM joint activities in Belarus will provide a good example of partner
relations between large international organizations at the national level.
An official
meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on children scheduled for
December 11-12, 2007 will be one of the major events of the UNGA 62nd
session. The meeting participants will review the progress made in improving
children’s health and education, and combating children’s trafficking,
violence and abuse against them since 2002, when the UNGA Special Session on
Children was held. Belarus’ delegation has been coordinating consultations
on organization of the UNGA meeting on children. Mr. Gautam expressed
gratitude to the Belarusian side for the successful coordination of the
consultations and invited Belarus to send a high-level delegation to the
meeting.
Viktar
Gaisenak and Kul Gautam exchanged views on the implementation of
Belarus-UNICEF projects on salt iodinating. These projects are very
important to Belarus, for consumption of iodated salt is a good means of
prevention of thyroid cancer, which is spread, particularly, in the areas
hit by the Chernobyl disaster.
UNDP Develops Long-Term Project on Sustainable Development
of Territories Affected by Chernobyl Catastrophe
The United
Nations Development Program (UNDP) has been drafting a long-term project on
sustainable development of territories affected by Chernobyl catastrophe by
2016. Issues on boosting cooperation to mitigate consequences of the
Chernobyl catastrophe were high on the agenda of the recent meeting between
Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Viktor Gaisenok and UN Under-Secretary
General and Associate Administrator of the UNDP Ad Melkert in New York.
The parties
agreed that the cooperation in mitigating consequences of the Chernobyl
catastrophe should be boosted.
The parties
also discussed opportunities of extending joint projects in the area of
ensuring energy security of Belarus and cutting energy intensity of the
national economy.
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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
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Belarus’
GDP Continues Steady Growth
In
January-September 2007, Belarus’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) totaled 108.4
percent as against the same period of last year.
In the
period the industrial output swelled by 8.2 percent, consumer goods output –
by 7.3 percent. The recent decline of food production volumes has been
stopped, with the output now on the rise. Over the nine months food
production swelled by 2 percent. The production of non-foods increased by
12.9 percent.
The energy
intensity of the GDP shrank by 11.2 percent while the target was set at
minus 6-7 percent. The profitability of sold products amounted to 12.9
percent. In January-August the labor productivity grew by 7.9 percent.
European Commission Lifts Antidumping Sanctions from JSC
“Mogilevkhimvolokno”
The
European Commission has recently lifted antidumping sanctions from JSC “Mogilevkhimvolokno”.
The sanctions had been in effect for ten years. Now JSC “Mogilevkhimvolokno”
will be able to increase export of polyester fibers and threads to the EU
market.
Over the
last several years, the European Union has presented no remarks concerning
the company’s pricing policies, including no remarks concerning dumping
attempts on foreign markets. JSC “Mogilevkhimvolokno” has found its export
market niche and despite the heavy competition from competitors quite
steadily sells the make in Europe and the CIS states.
JSC
“Mogilevkhimvolokno” is one of the leading European producers of polyester
fibers and threads and the CIS only major manufacturer of dimethyl
terephthalaten and polyether granulate, including polyether granulate for
food industry. The company exports about 60 percent of the make. In
January-September 2007, Mogilevkhimvolokno’s industrial output increased by
13.4 percent, export rose by 32.4 percent. To learn more about the company,
please visit:
http://www.khimvolokno.by/en.
Microlending Bank Opens in Belarus Shortly
According
to the recent statement by Advisor for Economic Affairs of the International
Finance Corporation Ruslan Mikhtiev made in Minsk on October 10, the
foundation of the Belarusian microlending bank is close to completion.
The IFC
representative noted, the partners that are carrying out technical
consultations and make investments into the bank have already opened an
office in Minsk, as well as chosen the bank office. The bank should be open
within the next few months.
The
International Finance Corporation is one of the investors into the
microlending bank. Earlier Mr. Craig Bell, World Bank Resident
Representative in Belarus, said that the IFC had apportioned over €11
million for the project.
In February
2007, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the National
Bank of the Republic of Belarus signed a memorandum of understanding
concerning the foundation of the Belarusian bank for issuing microloans to
small and medium businesses.
Fitch Ratings Confirms Ratings of Four Belarusian Banks
Fitch
Ratings has recently confirmed ratings of four Belarusian banks, namely,
Belarusbank, Belpromstroibank, Belinvestbank and Belagroprombank.
In
particular, Fitch Ratings confirmed Belarusbank, Belpromstroibank and
Belagroprombank’s long term issuer default rating “B-”, short term rating
“B”, support rating “5”, individual rating “D/E”. The outlook for all the
banks is stable.
As for
Belinvestbank, it has long-term issuer default rating “B-”, short term
rating “B”, support rating “5”. The bank’s individual rating was raised from
“E” to “D/E” due to diversification of the loan portfolio and funding base,
improvement of the risk management procedures.
Power of Regional Cooperation: Belarus & Italy
Italian
business is interested in implementing investment projects in the tourism
sector of Belarus. The statement was made by the Italian business delegation
headed by Mr. Francesco Bari, Bergamo Province Administration, during the
recent visit in Belarus to participate in the 5th International Investment
Forum in Vitebsk.
Mr. Francesco Bari noted that he believes that Italians can get good
treatment in local sanatoria and rest homes. The recreation center
“Krupenino” made a strong impression on the Italian delegation. There are
many facilities in Belarus, which could be of interest for foreign
holidaymakers. That is why joint projects in the sphere of tourism can be
implemented in the near future. Another avenue of cooperation can be search
for alternative sources of energy, said Mr. Bari. He also added that by
January 2008 the parties intend to conclude an agreement on cooperation
between Bergamo and Vitebsk.
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SOCIETY,
SCIENCE AND CULTURE
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Belarus
Preserves Birth Rate Augmentation
Belarus
pursues the tendency of increasing the birth rate, Deputy Prime Minister of
Belarus Alexander Kosinets told during the reception held in the Council of
Ministers on October 12 to mark the Mother Day.
According
to him, the country has been showing such tendency for the last two years.
Thus, in 2006 over 96.700 babies were born (up 6.4 percent over 2005). In
January-August 2007, Belarusian women gave birth to almost 103.000 babies
(up 6.000, or 9.1 percent as against the same period of 2006). “The fact
proves that the Belarusian population responds to the state support and
maternity and childhood protection,” the Vice-Premier considers.
At the same
time, 1.5 million Belarusian families bring up over 2 million children. Some
6 percent of the families have three and more children, 35 percent of the
families have two children and 59 percent – one child. The year of 2006 was
announced in Belarus as the Mother Year, the year of 2007 – the Child Year.
Alexander
Kosinets has reminded that the country adopted a national program on
demographic security that, first of all, is aimed at social protection and
support of the family and children, healthy way of life, mortality fall and
increase in birth rate. The same targets are provided in the Presidential
Program Children of Belarus for 2006-2010.
Belarusian
families with children are granted assistance to pay off lax and non-lax
housing loans, the Vice-Premier noted. Thus, in case of a non-lax loan, a
family with one child is granted compensation of 20 subsistence wages, a
family with two children – 40 subsistence wages, a family with three
children – 50 subsistence wages. Within a lax housing loan, the state pays
back 50 percent of the cost of a flat to a family giving birth to a third
child (earlier it was 30 percent), 70 percent of the cost – to a family with
four children and 100 percent – to a family with five children.
More Than 38 Thousand Belarusian Kids from
Chernobyl-Affected Areas Rehabilitated Abroad in 2007
This year
38,600 Belarusian children have been rehabilitated in 23 countries thanks to
gratuitous foreign aid rendered as part of programs for humanitarian
cooperation with foreign non-governmental organizations. General groups
included 37,900 children and special groups included 700 children.
According
to Alexander Kolyada, Director of the Humanitarian Affairs Department of the
Belarus Presidential Property Management Directorate, the most welcoming
countries were Italy (17,000 children), Germany (8,000), the UK (2,800),
Spain (2,500), Ireland (1,900), Belgium (1,600) and the USA (1,200).
Humanitarian projects for children rehabilitation abroad cover all parts of
the country and primarily the areas affected by the Chernobyl catastrophe
(the Gomel oblast – 17,300 children or almost 45 percent, the Mogilev oblast
– 7,600 children or almost 20 percent).
When
general organized groups of children are sent for rehabilitation abroad,
priority is given to children and underage Belarusians, who live in
radionuclide-polluted territories, children from large families and
low-income families, children from children’s homes and boarding schools. In
special groups children with oncological diseases in remission stage account
for 42 percent, children with diseases of internal organs – 16 percent,
children with blood diseases – 11 percent.
Children
rehabilitation has been made possible with the aid of 97 organizations with
corresponding licenses.
International Association of Rectors of Sports Universities
Founded in Minsk
During the
11th International Scientific Congress Modern Olympic Sports and Mass Sports
marking the 70th anniversary of Belarusian State University of Physical
Education in Minsk the International Association of Rectors of Sports
Universities has been founded.
During the
press conference in the National Library of Belarus on October 11, Honorary
President of the Association Vladimir Platonov of Ukraine said that other
universities have no associations of the kind. The idea to establish the
Association was put forward back in 2000 when a regional association
appeared in Alma-Aty, Kazakhstan. Gradually sports universities of other
countries joined the Association, which was transformed from regional into
international in Minsk. As for now, it unites sports universities and
research institutions of Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Moldova, Poland, Russia, Ukraine and Venezuela.
YOU MAY FIND
BELARUSIAN POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL NEWS IN ENGLISH ON THE WEB SITE
OF
"THE MINSK TIMES" WEEKLY NEWSPAPER AT
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