Belarus wants to raise $6-7bn via raw materials companies
2011-10-06 17:16:16
Belarus expects to raise $6-7 billion in investments with the help of companies dealing with raw materials in the coming years. This statement was made by Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich as he met with well-known Russian businessman Mikhail Gutseriyev, the owner of GMC Global Energy plc (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) on 5 October, BelTA has learnt.
“There is an interest in Belarus and we plan to attract $6-7 billion in investments in several years, including with the help of raw materials companies,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.
He emphasized that together with GMC Global Energy plc Belarus plans to construct a new potash plant and might develop other deposits, for example, a Sitnitsa granite macadam deposit. “The investments into this deposit are estimated at $250-300 million. It is a real highly profitable commodity,” the Prime Minister said.
According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, Belarus is building a new economy and maximizing local resources “to increase the amount of high value added goods”. Major projects are implemented in the forestry industry. Some of them will be completed in 2011 already, the remaining ones in 2012.
The development of the Petrikov deposit of potassium salt is another important and promising project. An international tender for the development of the deposit has already been announced. The investments into the project are estimated at $4-5 billion. The project will increase Belarus’ potash production capacities to three-four million tonnes per year. “We are creating all the necessary comfortable conditions for that, including the relevant legal framework,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
He informed that this year, despite a difficult economic and financial situation, Belarus has already raised $5.6 billion in foreign investments (as of 1 September 2011), which is more than in the entire 2010. The Premier underlined that Belarus is consistently implementing Directive No. 4, encouraging private-public partnership, including investment activities. According to the Prime Minister, due to cooperation with the world’s leading investors, Belarus’ investment efforts will bear fruit.