OREANDA-NEWS. March 17, 2009. Belarus needs to attract investors purposefully, for specific projects, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told media while visiting Vitebskdrev company on March 17.

“Today it should be understood that talking about investments in general like it was done before the world financial and economic crisis is futureless. At present it is necessary to seek investors, rich people purposefully, to start negotiations with them and make bargains,” said the head of state.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, he dealt with these issues during recent visits to Serbia and Armenia. The President remarked that during his visit to Serbia fifteen businessmen expressed their desire to work in Belarus and the eastern market as a whole. Alexander Lukashenko underscored that favourable conditions will be created for foreign investors in Belarus. For instance, they can be exempted from taxes for three years in order to return their investments. However, they should meet several requirements. “We told them: don’t expect to come to us and buy out factories, plants for a penny, don’t expect us to allow them to be privatised like that. In order to participate in privatisation in Belarus, you need to deserve trust. Come and show what you can do, work for three years, for instance, prove that you are better and we may start privatising while you will have advantages meanwhile,” said the President.

The head of state underscored that every investment project needs to be taken care of specifically.

Speaking about the recent visit to Armenia, Alexander Lukashenko remarked that many matters had been discussed ranging from economic ones to military and technical cooperation. The President underlined that Belarus has a major interest in Armenia and there are certain opportunities, including opportunities to build up the trade. “We don’t have restricted topics for negotiations with Armenia. It is a country we are in the CSTO together with, this is why we discuss all matters regarding our cooperation,” added Alexander Lukashenko. The President also remarked that Belarus welcomes investors from Armenia.