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German expert expresses high opinion of Belarus’ economic potential

German businesspeople view Belarus as a country with a big economic potential, Klaus Mangold, head of Germany’s Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, said while speaking on the opening day of Minsk Forum XII on November 4.

He stressed that Belarus “is coping with the aftermath of the global economic crisis better than other countries in the region.” “I am confident that Belarus is on the right track, although it is not an easy one,” he said, adding that the country was offered the prospect of closer ties with the European Union.

According to Mr. Mangold, Belarus is not just a market of 10 million “but a part of Europe and of what formed the basis of Germany and the EU in general.” He called on the EU to “have a patient attitude to the process of reforms in Belarus and do not impose Western standards on the country.”

Speaking about Belarus’ economic advantages, Mr. Mangold pointed to its high-skilled workforce, logistical infrastructure, well-performing agricultural and industrial sectors.

He said that possible joint projects had been under discussion at a meeting between German businesspeople and Alyaksandr Lukashenka in Minsk on Wednesday. Mr. Mangold called for a faster pace of privatization in Belarus and more support for small and medium-sized businesses. Such businesses, he said, should be involved in energy projects.

Mr. Mangold noted that he had visited Belarus four more times since the beginning of this year.

Speaking at the forum, Uladzimir Makey, head of the Presidential Administration, described Mr. Mangold as a “good friend” of his who helps Belarusian and German businesspeople establish closer ties and informs the German business community about Belarus’ economic potential and reforms.

Mr. Makey said that Belarus and Germany would establish a non-governmental business cooperation council soon. //BelaPAN