Alexander Lukashenko meets with EBRD President

14 сентября 2017

By Ksenia Rabchinskaya: Yesterday, the President of Belarus met with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Belarus and the EBRD have been cooperating for many years now. Last year, a four-year cooperation strategy was adopted, and in 2017, the Belarusian economy received more than 85 million euros.

Currently, the EBRD is implementing over 70 projects in Belarus. The Bank also acts as a business consultant for Belarusian brands.

One of the promising projects of the Bank in Belarus is the construction of water de-ironing stations. The EBRD is helping to build over 50 stations here.

Among other projects of the EBRD is the reconstruction of water and wastewater treatment facilities in Vitebsk. The Bank has allocated more than 16 million euros as a loan and a grant, and the money will allow to update the complex. Also, the water supply and sanitation systems are being renewed with the involvement of the Bank's finances in Lida, Polotsk, Orsha, Slonim, and Baranovichi. Biogas complexes are being built there.

Alexander Lukashenko also suggested the Bank take part in financing the construction of the south corridor which bears high importance for Europe today. Belarus is a major transport hub on the way from Asia and Russia to Europe.

After the meeting, the head of the Bank noted cooperation will expand further and new directions will be explored. More projects will be implemented, and as of now, the Bank is ready to invest another 200 million euros in Belarus.

Over the last 25 years, the EBRD has invested about 2 billion euros. Most of the projects are in the private sector, since the main goal of the Bank as one of the largest investors in the region is the transformation of economies in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.