Over 30 major French companies partake in Belarus economy presentation in Paris

– Over 30 major French companies have taken part in the presentation of the economy and investment opportunities of Belarus. The event took place in the MEDEF headquarters in Paris on 6 June, BelTA has learned.

The overall turnover of the French companies, which took part in the forum, exceeded €429 billion in 2012.

The event was organized with vigorous assistance of the Embassy of Belarus in France, the Economy Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the National Agency of Investment and Privatization of Belarus, and the business association Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF).

Belarusian Finance Minister Andrei Kharkovets and Economy Minister Nikolai Snopkov, who are in France on a working visit on 5-8 June, took part in the forum. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to France Pavel Latushko was present at the event as well as head of the French diplomatic mission in Minsk Michel Raineri.

The French side believes the forum has been a success and represented an opportunity for getting familiar with Belarus’ business operation terms, the country’s investment potential, and opportunities available in the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park.

While in France the Belarusian Finance Minister and the Economy Minister are expected to meet with representatives of international organizations, which are accredited in Paris, French ministries and agencies, including top executives of the French Foreign Trade Ministry and the French agency for credit risk insurance COFACE, representatives of several leading French companies, which are interested in cooperation with Belarus. The visit will include meetings with members of the parliament, negotiations between representatives of OAO Belarusbank and the French bank Societe Generale to discuss the provision of credit resources for several economic and investment projects in Belarus.

Top executives of OAO Gorodeya Sugar Refinery and OAO Slutsk Sugar Plant have held negotiations with French companies to discuss the modernization of the manufacturing capacity of Belarusian sugar industry enterprises using modern French equipment and technologies.