MINSK, 2 March (BelTA) – The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has elaborated a number of proposals to boost exports of small and medium-sized enterprises, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said during the 17th Assembly of the Business Circles of Belarus on 2 March, BelTA has learned.
“We have developed a series of proposals to encourage exports of small and medium-sized enterprises. We would like to present them to businessmen and get feedback. First of all, we have an interagency council on foreign trade policy headed by First Deputy Prime Minister Vasily Matyushevsky. There are no representatives of SMEs among the members of the council. The situation must be changed, and we are ready to hear out your suggestions,” the minister stressed.
Vladimir Makei pointed out that government support will be provided to SMEs producing goods and services for export, especially to those located in peripheral regions. “To consolidate the efforts of small businesses, we will set up integrated centers for promotion of international cooperation in business, technology and science in each of Belarus' regions. The support provided through such integrated centers will be more effective,” the minister explained.
Among other proposals Vladimir Makei outlined greater use of the Belarusian distribution networks that already exist abroad. “Belarusian small and medium-sized companies can compete successfully in foreign markets with their IT products, and also transport, medical, tourism and consulting services. We are ready to help promote these products and services on foreign markets. Suggestions can be sent to our Department of Foreign Economic Activity,” he noted.
“The main thing for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to remove barriers to Belarusian exports. Involving at least half of all local small and medium-sized enterprises in foreign economic activity would increase the total exports by $25 billion, according to our estimates,” Vladimir Makei noted.
The Belarusian Entrepreneurship Week is scheduled to take place on 29 February — 4 March. Scheduled for 2 March, the 17th Assembly of the Business Circles of Belarus is the key event. The event gathered business leaders, founders and directors of private enterprises, heads and specialists of ministries and government agencies, diplomats, representatives of regional and economy-branch business associations of Belarus as well as reporters. Participants of the Assembly were made familiar with the country's draft national business platform for 2016.
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