BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
02/03/2010
Oman, Belarus Establish Joint Businessmen Council
Posted by Mokhtar Thabet
Oman (Muscat) Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Belarus Trade and Industry Chamber signed at OCCI today an agreement establishing Omani-Belarusian Businessmen Council on the sidelines of the Omani-Belarusian Forum which was attended by Boris Patora, Chairman of Belarus Assembly Council and his accompanying delegation currently visiting the Sultanate.
The agreement was signed on behalf of OCCI by Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji, Chairman of OCCI, and by Vasily Romanov, Chairman of Belarus Trade and Industry Chamber.
The Chairman of Belarus National Assembly Council said that leadership of both countries are interested in promoting cooperation ties between the Sultanate and Belarus not only at the political level but at the economic and trade level. He affirmed that businessmen in both countries are keen to attend the forum.
He pointed out that Belarus is serious on promoting joint economic and investment ties as it has recently improved the investment environment and developed rules and regulations to attract local and foreign investment. A lot of investment and cooperation opportunities are available in the areas of energy, petrochemicals, communications, construction, agriculture, industrial products and foodstuff, in addition, to improving transportation infrastructure, he added.
He proposed the Omani side to establish joint stock companies in vehicles, agriculture and oil sectors, cooperation in the areas of innovation, education and tourism whereas Omani businessmen and their Belarusian counterparts would establish hotels and infrastructure needed in Belarus when hosting World's Hocky Cup Championship in 2014. He affirmed that his country would provide Omani investors with all facilities.
For his part, OCCI Chairman and the Honorary Counsel of Belarus said that the exchange of visits between the two countries denotes trust among officials and businessmen in both countries. Economic Indices in both countries are somehow similar as both countries have not been affected by the global economic crisis, therefore, the Omani government and businessmen are encouraged to invest in Belarus.
He told Oman News Agency (ONA) that OCCI is putting great emphasis on joint businessmen council with brotherly and friendly countries to encourage Omani businessmen and their counterparts to set up new joint investment ventures, device means to facilitate exchange of commodities and services, remove any barriers that hinder trade activity, as well as, participating in all economic functions.
"An Omani businessmen delegation will visit Belarus next June and meet a number of officials in the public and private sectors in Belarus," he said adding that an Omani Forum will be held which will shed light on Oman economy, law encouraging investment and exploring investment potentials in the Sultanate.
"Belarus is pursing economic openness after adopting the free market mechanism. Hence, a great deal of investment opportunities are available to set up new ventures, such as, oil refineries, vehicles and agriculture machineries, import and re-export opportunities. The Sultanate is poised to act as a strategic distribution hub to the Gulf, the Middle East and Africa regions," he added.
For his part, Belarus Trade and Industry Chairman, said that the current Belarusian businessmen visit to the Sultanate and the Omani businessmen forthcoming visit to Belarus will contribute to building trust for establishing mutual communications between the two sides. Belarus Trade and Industry Chamber seeks to provide businessmen in both countries with the suitable environment to set up joint ventures and avail investment opportunities in Belarus, he furthered.
He said that currently the Belarusian economy is improving well. The World Bank's report showed that Belarus is reforming six to seven businesses. It was ranked forth among the world's countries in areas of reforms and improving investment environment. Belarus has also been ranked 58 business country, he added.
Signing the agreement of establishing the Omani-Belarusian Joint Businessmen Council, and Cooperation Agreement between OCCI and Belarus Trade and Industry Chamber among other agreements is a step forward to establishing good relations and communications between the two countries, he added.
The Belarusian delegation then, presented a number of working papers which have touched on the Belarusian economy, laws organizing investment and investment opportunities in Belarus. (ONA)
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