The Swiss Ambassador expects that by the end of 2019, the trade turnover with Belarus will exceed 130 million dollars.
After a slight decline in mutual trade between Belarus and Switzerland, the trade turnover has been growing since 2018, Swiss Ambassador Claude Altermatt said in an interview with BelaPAN.
"In 2018, Switzerland imported $ 97.2 million worth of goods to Belarus, and purchased $ 27.4 million worth of Belarusian goods," he said. — The total volume of trade turnover amounted to 130 million dollars, representing a 7.9% increase. We expect that in 2019, the mutual trade turnover will exceed $ 130 million."
Altermatt believes that the two countries have great potential in the development of investment cooperation. "There is also a noticeable positive development, but unfortunately we do not have figures. The investment potential is very large. At the moment, only a small part of it is used. And here, again, the main responsibility lies with the Belarusian side to make Belarus economically attractive to foreign investors," the diplomat said.
According to him, economic cooperation is developing through private initiatives. "There are no joint economic projects between the two countries at the moment," Altermatt said. — But here it is important to emphasize that I am talking about cooperation at the state level. For example, the Stadler plant is a private initiative, not a state one. At the state level, we have a bilateral Commission that meets regularly (the last meeting was in June 2018 in Bern) and discusses issues and problems of an economic nature."
The Ambassador explained that Switzerland has special state economic projects, but they are implemented in backward countries that receive assistance for development. Belarus is not one of these countries. "Belarus has its own potential and has a private sector of the economy that can help your country become a wealthy state," Altermatt said.
According to him, the Swiss-Belarusian business Council plays an important role in the development of economic cooperation. "The last time it took place in November last year," the Ambassador said. — The event was attended by about 100 businessmen and representatives of the Belarusian government. This is a typical Swiss approach: the economy develops not on the instructions of the government, but through the interest and interaction of business partners from both sides."
In General, the diplomat said, Switzerland expects that after the opening of the Embassy there will be a "revival of mutual foreign trade, investment and services". "It is also very important to develop cooperation in the field of tourism, since tourism contributes to the creation of new jobs in Belarus and the development of contacts between people, leading to the opening of the country to the world. In this regard, I would like to note the importance of the decision of the Belarusian authorities on visa — free entry for foreign citizens for 30 days," Altermatt said.
According to him, Switzerland is in the top 20 countries by the number of tourists visiting Belarus. "And the potential in this direction is very large. Much depends on the Belarusian authorities. It is very important to advertise Belarus 'tourism opportunities, promote your country, its nature and sights, and make them more visible," the Ambassador added.
According to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, in terms of foreign direct investment, Switzerland is one of the largest investors in the Belarusian economy. In 2018, the volume of foreign direct investment on a net basis (excluding debt to a direct investor for goods, works, and services) received from Switzerland amounted to $ 23.4 million (in 2017 - $ 31.1 million, in 2016 -$ 18.0 million). There are 118 enterprises with Swiss capital registered in Belarus.