Belarus EU Press Review: November/2011

James Wilson : To attract investment, it is important to promote the brand « Belarus » in the world

Interview of James Wilson, director of the Belarus EU Business Council, to the correspondent of BELTA. [English translation available here.]

MTS Auction Sale Put off

The Belarusian authorities have decided to put off the auction of MTS state-owned 51% stake, reported Head of the State Property Committee of Belarus Georgi Kuznetsov. The auction was to have been held on December 1, but was rescheduled for December 23, 2011.

Belarus EU Press Review: October/2011

Foreign Banks Halt Dealing with Belarus

Two more foreign banks, part of a syndicate, by which the government of Belarus carried out the international loans, halt cooperation with the Belarusian authorities. Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas French have agreed on such a step over the pressure on international human rights organizations.

Belarus set to raise $3.8bn in FDI in 2012

Belarus plans to raise $3.8 billion in foreign direct investment in 2012, including $2.5 billion through privatization projects, Economy Minister Nikolai Snopkov said during a Q&A telephone session in the Respublika newspaper.

Belarus EU Press Review: September/2011

Quid Pro Quo for Belarus

Although it had no representative at the summit of the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries, Belarus was in the spotlight of the summit, which ended with a Warsaw Declaration for all and a separate text for Belarus.

EU Foreign Policy: More for More, or More of the Same?

Almost a week ago, the Polish EU presidency proudly announced that over 500 media representatives had asked for accreditation to attend the Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw on 29 and 30 September. From the outset it was clear the meeting was mainly a PR exercise and an opportunity for the Polish government to revive one of its pet ideas, especially in the context of elections coming up on 9 October.

Belarus EU Press Review: Summer/2011

NBRB’s refinancing rate up to 27% as from 1 September

The administration of Belarus’ central bank has decided to up the refinancing rate. It will be raised by five percentage points as from 1 September to 27% per annum.

Gazprom May Sign Belarus Gas Contracts, Buy Pipeline in December

OAO Gazprom, Russia’s gas export monopoly, plans to sign contracts with Belarus and agree on buying the 50 percent of the national pipeline operator it doesn’t already own in early December.