|
Belarus' International Reserves Up By
69 Percent to $ 1.3 Billion
Belarus’ international reserves, based on the International
Monetary Fund’s (IMF) methodology, increased by 69 percent to $1.301 billion
as of November 1, 2005.
Foreign currency reserves amounted to $1.173 billion,
monetary gold amounted to the equivalent of $126.5 million, while other
assets were at $1.6 million.
Belarus' Companies Improve Quality
Standards
A number of Belarusian industrial companies plan to introduce
ISO/TS 16949 automotive quality standard in 2005-2006 as part of a pilot
project.
This quality management standard may become a must for many
Belarusian exporters. BelavtoMAZ, Minsk motor Plant (MMZ), Borisov
Avtogidrousilitel Plant, Baranovichi-based plant of components are taking
part in the pilot project. Belarusian Metal Plant (BMZ) has already adopted
ISO/TS 16949 standards for its metal cord and wire productions.
A total of 555 Belarusian companies have ISO 9000
certificates, and another 120 plan to adopt ISO 9000 standards by the end of
this year. Fifty-four enterprises have received ISO14000 certificates so
far, and their number is expected to double this year. Forty companies have
adopted HACCP quality management standards, and some 739 commodities may be
marked with “CE”.
Besides, Belarusian pharmaceutical companies and cosmetics
producers have started upgrading their productions towards GMP standards.
The first certificate was received by Borisov plant of medical products.
Certification audits have been completed at Belmedpreparaty and
Minskintercaps.
Belarus Joined PEFC to Meet
International Wood Preservation Requirements
Belarus has joined the Council of the Pan-European Forest
Certification Scheme (PEFC) in order to meet all international wood
preservation requirements, enhance the competitive power of the forestry
sector, improve management methods and lift barriers in foreign trade.
Belarus plans to submit to the PEFC Council the national
forest certification scheme, which is to be reviewed by an independent
party. In case of a positive review all forests that have national
certificates will automatically receive PEFC certificates, and all holders
of national certificates will be allowed to use the PEFC logo. The PEFC
Council includes about 30 member countries and is one of the leading
authorities in forest certification. More than 40 percent of European
forests are PEFC-certified.
Belarus plans to have all its forest farms certified in
accordance with widely spread in the U.S. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
standards in 2007. In 2005, it is planned to have 25 farms certified, in
2006 the figure will reach 65, and the remaining farms will be certified in
2007. Belarus has 98 forestry farms.
EBRD to Invest $ 80 Million in
Olivaria Brewery
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD)
will invest $ 80 million in the Olivaria Brewery development. The EBRD has
purchased 30 percent of the brewery’s shares. The EBRD package of shares
accounts for $ 4,18 million. The ERBD will grant Olivaria a $ 3.8 million
loan for seven years at interest of 7 per cent per annum.
The consulting company “Prime Investment” acted as the main
strategic and financial consultant of Olivaria. The proceeds from the sale
of shares and loans will be used to improve the technical state of the
company, to increase its productive capacity and to ensure high quality of
products.
European Commission Raises Quotas for
Imports of Belarus' Textile
The European commission increased quotas for imports of the
Belarusian textile by the end of 2005 by 50 per cent of Belarus’ request.
Belarus has already received 80 per cent of quotas for flax and by the end
of November it will reach 90 per cent of annual deliveries.
Belorusneft Opens Tender to Perform
Justification of Investments in Establishment of Processing Facilities
Belarus’ oil producing monopolist Belorusneft has opened a
tender to perform the justification of investments in the establishment of
its own processing facilities.
The company plans to create a 1.8-2 million tons-per-year
deep crude oil conversion plant in the Rechitsa District of the Gomel Region
to process all crude oil it produces. To contact, please, use the following
addresses: www.beloil.by,
www.beloil.gomel.by
or e-mail: contact@beloil.gomel.by.
|
