Belarus, Ukraine have no barriers for developing business

Belarus and Ukraine have no barriers for developing business. The statement was made by Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky in Minsk on February 29 as he met with Ukraine’s First Vice Prime Minister Alexander Turchinov, co-chairman of the Belarusian-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation. The Belarusian head of Government said, Belarus is interested in more active development of cooperation with Ukraine. “We do our best for the Ukrainian business to feel comfortable in Belarus,” he underscored.

Sergei Sidorsky also remarked, it is the fourth Ukrainian Government he works with during his time as the Prime Minister. “But it’s not a problem. I think we will continue effective cooperation,” he added. “During my time in the Belarusian Government we’ve had no issues that could become barriers in the trade and economic relations,” noted the Prime Minister. There are certain issues regarding small commodity groups, but they are not the most important thing, said Sergei Sidorsky.

The official also said, the agreement to resume the operation of the intergovernmental commission had been reached during a phone talk with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko. Just like previous times First Vice Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko heads the commission on the Belarusian side.

According to Sergei Sidorsky, the reached agreements shape the foundation for the future development of trade and economic cooperation. The Premier reminded, several years ago the trade between Belarus and Ukraine was under $500 million, but now it stands at $3 billion. There are around 100 joint ventures. From the legal point of view neither Belarus nor Ukraine has barriers for the annual expansion of business contacts. In turn, it would contribute to the development of the economies of the two countries.

First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Alexander Turchinov remarked, the Minsk session of the commission was effective. The protocol of the session was adopted without remarks.

The official spoke highly about the development of trade and economic relations between Belarus and Ukraine. The trade figures are a vivid example of the fact that the two economies are synchronised and compliment each other, remarked Alexander Turchinov. He underscored, working for the benefit of the nations is the goal the two governments aim for.

He also said, during the session the sides discussed a wide range of issues from medicine to space exploration. “We believe the foundation has been laid, it is now necessary to build on faster,” said Alexander Turchinov.

The next session of the Belarusian-Ukrainian commission is scheduled to take place in October 2008 and it will coincide with Belarus’ expo in Ukraine.