UAE Takes Part in 7th Belarus Investment Forum

The UAE delegation to the 7th Belarus Investment Forum led by Eng. Mohammed Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, met with Belarus' senior officials. The delegation met Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich, Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei and Deputy Economy Minister Alexander Yaroshenko. The ministry said today in a statement that the talks focused on ways to bolster the bilateral cooperation ties, especially in the areas of economic, trade, investment, as well as increase in the trade exchange, boosting of partnership between the two private sectors and setting up of joint projects in promising sectors.

The Belarusian Prime Minister welcomed the UAE delegation and conveyed his regards to the Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He lauded good relations between the countries and the participation of UAE in the Belarus investment conferences, noting that there were promising horizons for developing cooperation in all fields of mutual interest. He added that the UAE and Belarus have recently marked 20 years of their diplomatic ties launched in 1992.

Myasnikovich said the UAE Companies had invested US$3.6 million in 2011, out of US$4billion, the total of direct foreign investments received by Belarus, adding that "This figure does not reflect potential and investment opportunities of the UAE." He proposed setting up of joint investment fund between the UAE and Belarus to utilise potential investment opportunities in the areas of economy, trade and investment, stressing that these areas are open to Emirati businesspersons. Al Shehhi conveyed the regards of the UAE Vice President to the Belarus Prime Minister, indicating that the relations between the two countries are growing, especially in the areas of economy, trade and investment. He added that the UAE gives maximum priority to the issues of water and food security, noting that the UAE is ready to invest in the Belarus water sector given its huge water reserve. Al Shehhi discussed the investment and trade ties with the Belarusian Foreign Minister and the Belarusian Deputy Economy Minister.