Belarus Counts on USD 1.5 Billion Investments in 2003

In 2003, Belarus counts on USD 1.5 billion foreign investments in the country's national economy. This is according to the programme of Belorussian government as concerns investments.

The government has compiled a list of 184 principal investment projects whose overall value is in access of USD 500 million. In the programme, petrochemistry, hi-tech, communications, agricultural produce processing, timber, wood processing, wood pulp and paper, tourism, and the creation of new jobs are named as priority areas.

In order for the programme to be fulfilled, in 2003, Belarussian parliament and government intend to come up with a number of legislative documents, aiming at improving financial policies, curbing inflation, and making banking more available. Also, the government intends to liberalise pricing policies and cut down on the number of goods subject to state regulations. Finally, Belarus plans to switch to internationally accepted rules of taxation.