OREANDA-NEWS. September 22, 2008. The Belarusian Investment Forum which will be held in London in November 2008, will facilitate the advance of Belarusian enterprises to the international financial markets, UK Ambassador to Belarus Nigel Gould-Davies said at the seminar dedicated to the cooperation between the international financial markets and Belarusian companies and to the attraction of foreign investment, reported the Official website http://invest.gomel-region.by.

“The investment forum in London will offer an opportunity to establish relations between Belarus and the international financial companies. We expect this forum to bring good results. I am sure that it will play a significant role in the development of our cooperation,” Nigel Gould-Davies said.

London is a financial powerhouse. “It is time for Belarus to reap the benefits of the cooperation with its financial institutions,” the Ambassador noted.

He underlined that the high-profile efforts to attract foreign investment in the Belarusian economy are bearing fruit. The government attaches much importance to the security of investors. The Ambassador reminded, according to Doing Business 2009, the sixth annual report published by the World Bank and IFC, Belarus entered the list of ten top countries – regulatory reformers. Nigel Gould-Davies underlined that some issues still have to be solved, including the bureaucratic obstacles for the development of business.

According to the Ambassador, a great number of foreign companies are showing interest in Belarus, but the low level of their activity in Belarus was caused by the underdeveloped image of this country. As for investors from the United Kingdom, they are most interested in the trade and financial areas (banks, insurance companies).

 Nigel Gould-Davies believes that the 2008 parliamentary elections in Belarus will boost the influx of foreign investment due to the lower influence of political risks on the investment climate of the country. “The Belarusian parliamentary elections will certainly contribute to the more active participation of foreign investors in the Belarusian economy, to the wider use of the potential of the country for building up their business,” he said.

The forum is aimed at presenting the investment opportunities of Belarus, organizing direct contacts between potential business partners and investors, strengthening a positive image of Belarus in the eyes of the international community. London was chosen the venue for this event due to its status as a major international financial centre which is home to headquarters and branches of the majority of the biggest transnational corporations.