President of Belarus stated at a meeting with Lithuanian businessmen that "we have recently been trying to diversify, and not without success, our foreign trade activities". "We do not hide (which sometimes annoy our friends with no reason) that we are trying to get away from dependence on one country concerning sales, purchases and so on", Alexander Lukashenko said.
«Because sometimes it is a state, you know it, who acts from the position of strength, as it was more than once. Therefore, we can not afford to sit and wait for manna from heaven, a kind of favorable treatment by one or two states. We start to look for other ways of cooperation», the president said, adding that «Lithuania, as well as Latvia, and Ukraine, is a very important partner».
During the meeting, Alexander Lukashenko has also suggested Lithuanian businessmen to implement promising projects, which, as the president said, will connect Belarus and Lithuania into a single unit in economic terms. «Of course, we’ll tell you that we have a very favorable climate for investment, agitate you but it’s not the point. The main thing is that we have very prospective long-term projects which will connect our states into a single unit in economic terms», Belarusian leader said, BelTA informs.
«I will not hide the fact that we can not do without you in terms of transit to the Baltic and other countries», Alexander Lukashenko said adding that Belarus can offer Lithuania «projects, which you practically can not refuse because if you refuse — it’ll be your loss».
The head of state considers as effective created in Belarus model of cooperation between state-owned enterprises and private foreign partners. According to the president, the example of successful cooperation is the work of Belarusian Potash Company. «You don’t have to worry if we propose you a project where there is the state enterprise from our side», Belarusian leader said, referring to Lithuanian businessmen.
«We have all enterprises corporatized», Alexander Lukashenko said. «I do not rule out that you or any other partner may buy a holding of stock and it will become private. But no company will be sold for a song. It is not always when our partners in the East like it, they would like to buy almost any enterprise. We are not against it. Pay the money. But when it’s about the money…».
Investors should care about the people at the enterprise, Lukashenko
Belarusian leader emphasized that Belarus has the socially oriented economy. «Therefore, the investors are also required some care about people working at the enterprises. I always suggest every investor take control of the company for two or three years and show that you can really manage it», Alexander Lukashenko said.
«You can ask me how much the state intervenes in economic policy. How much the state is able to» , added Belarusian leader. The president also stressed that he was ready to make decisions on each project — offered by Lithuanian businessmen — personally, to «support and protect it against unnecessary procrastinations».
«If you are interested in Belarus — come, let’s start working. I guarantee the most important: you will lose nothing here because of our slow response, lack of discipline and other things», the head of state stressed.
Belarusian leader reminded that Lithuanian business assists on the territory of Belarus, it invests a lot. «You know these people. And if they tell you «bad», you have to still try to meet and talk with our people», Alexander Lukashenko said and guaranteed «a favorable working conditions for obliging investors who came to our country with serious intentions».
Lithuania is ready to grant Belarus a terminal in Klaipeda port for transshipment of potash
In his turn, the president of the Confederation of Lithuanian industrialists, president and director general of Achema Group concern, Bronislovas Lubys, said that Lithuanian side is ready to grant Belarus a long term lease of a terminal in Klaipeda port for transshipment of potash.
Bronislovas Lubys reminded that Klaipeda port was recently visited by Belarusian Prime Minister, Sergei Sidorsky, who examined terminals in details, including the built for Belaruskali. «Next year we plan, if there is a desire, to let on a long-term lease a huge terminal, which would be managed by Belarusian side — Belaruskalii or Belarusian Potash Company», director general of Achema Group concern said.
Speaking about the trade and economic relations between Belarus and Lithuania in general, Lithuanian businessman expressed his satisfaction that «the time of economic relations’ destruction has ended, and the time of creation, not only in economic but also politic sphere, has come». «We are glad for our power and your team that there is a political dialogue and it continues», Bronislovas Lubys noted, adding that «it can be a good advance in considering the serious issues».
Lithuanian businessman also noted the high level of trade turnover between the two countries. In the first quarter of this year Belarusian-Lithuanian trade turnover grew by 38% and reached 145 million dollars. Bronislovas Lubys noted the importance of the Confederation of industrialists in economic cooperation.
