OREANDA-NEWS. September 12, 2014. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has invited Russia’s Vnesheconombank to take part in more projects in Belarus. The matter was discussed at the meeting of the Belarusian head of state with Chairman of Vnesheconombank Vladimir Dmitriev.
 
Alexander Lukashenko thanked Vnesheconombank for fulfilling all its obligations. “Sometimes I receive complaints that some foreign bankers, including those from Russia, do not fulfill some obligations. I say: give me concrete facts documenting it. As I prepared for this meeting I looked into the history of our cooperation. To be honest, I have not come across any incident of failure to honor these commitments. The bank fulfilled its obligations related to the financing of our economy, provision of loans and participation in the economic modernization,” the Belarusian President said.

“We would really appreciate if you could take up more projects in economy and finances in Belarus in this difficult time for the Russian banking system,” the head of state said.

The President thanked Vnesheconombank for financing the Belarusian nuclear power plant project. “This is a ground-breaking project and such a project is carried out in Belarus for the first time. We are very scrupulous about the construction works, we count every penny, because we use borrowed money and we will have to give it back. Your bank provides extraordinary support. We are now utilizing the last loan of \\$0.5 billion. The construction works are in progress; the control is very tough. I personally supervise the project alongside with government members and other stakeholders. I am really grateful to you for this project. If you decide to increase your involvement, you will be more than welcome,” the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko added that Belarus is ready to lend a hand to Vnesheconombank any time, no matter how hard it might be for Belarus.

Vladimir Dmitriev, in turn, noted that about 40% of the balance sheet of Vnesheconombank’s subsidiary bank is channeled into financing integration projects, like cooperation and export support, including through the Export Insurance Agency of Russia.