An introduction in facts and figures to this landlocked country in the north-east of Europe

Official Name
Republic of Belarus

President of Belarus
Alexander Lukashenko (1994 - present)

Prime Minister of Belarus
Sergey Sidorsky (2003)

Total land area of Belarus
207,600 km²

Nationality of Belarus
Population – 9.7 million

• Life expectancy at birth – 70.5 years
• Population living in cities – 74%
• The capital is Minsk – 1.8 million inhabitants

Regional centres of Belarus:

• Brest  - 316,400 inhabitants 
• Vitebsk  – 346,900 inhabitants  
• Gomel  – 486,300 inhabitants 
• Grodno  –332,000 inhabitants 
• Mogilev  – 371,300 inhabitants

Ethnicity

• Belarusian - 81.2%
• Russian - 11.4%
• Polish - 3.94%
• Ukrainian - 2.4%
• Jewish - 0.3%
  (Source: 1999 census)

Languages spoken in Belarus
Belarusian and Russian

National holidays in Belarus
Independence Day, 3 July

Currency of Belarus
Belarusian rouble (Br)

Economic indicators
GNP (2009) Br 136 790 billion; per capita: Br 14 153 thousand
Commodity structure of export (2009):

• mineral products -  37.9%
• chemical industry production, rubber – 18,2%
• cars, equipment and vehicles – 15,7%
• black, nonferrous metals and products from them – 6,9%
• articles of food and agricultural raw materials – 10,8%
• others – 10,5%

Commodity structure of import (2009):

• mineral products – 40,3%
• chemical industry production, rubber – 12,4%
• cars, equipment and vehicles – 22,6%
• black, nonferrous metals and products from them – 8,8%
• articles of food and agricultural raw materials – 8,2%
• others – 7,7%

Main Business Partners of Belarus

• Russia
• Netherlands
• Germany
• Ukraine
• Poland
• Latvia
• China
• The UK
• Italy
• India

Main Industries of Belarus

• metallurgical
• mechanical engineering, including tractors and agricultural, cars, machine-tool constructing and tool industry, instrument making, radio engineering, electro technical, electronic, optics-mechanical industry; and metal working
• chemical and petrochemical
• light industry
• food industry

Area of farmland in Belarus
8944.7 thousands hectares (2008)

Agriculture
Areas of speciality in agriculture: grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beet, flax, meat and dairy industry.

Natural resources

• wood
• peat
• small oil and natural gas fields
• granite
• dolomite
• limestone
• clay
• sand

Number of people in employment
4.7 million (2009)

Distribution of employed population across key economic sectors:

• industry – 26.2%
• agriculture – 9.3%
• transportation and communication – 7.6%
• retail, catering, logistics – 14.7%
• education – 9,7%
• public health services, physical training and social security – 7.2%
• others – 16.3%

BUSINESS IN BELARUS

Whether you intend to relocate your business to Belarus or plan to do business there, Belarus has much to offer any size of company and a vast number of sectors. The business environment is strong, and with a large focus on the industrial sector there is a wealth of opportunity for investment. Explore more about legal requirements and Belarusian customs and etiquette and find the right contact should you want to take the next step and do business in Belarus.

Why locate your business in Belarus?
Foreign investment and trade with Belarus has risen 8-fold since 2002, and there are now more than 4000 joint venture and foreign enterprises in Belarus.

Currently the main trading partners are:

• Russia
• Germany
• Poland
• US
• Lithuania
• Great Britain
• Cyprus
• Latvia

There are many reasons for such an increase in the number of international companies in Belarus. The main attractions are:
• Geographical location
Belarus, on the eastern border of Europe, is strategically well positioned as a major trading route between Europe and the CIS.
• Economic stability  
In turbulent economic times, the Belarus economy has been less affected than those which rely on global markets. Market analysts predict a robust growth for the economy of Belarus.
• Favourable investment climate
Measures to encourage business include Free Economic Zones, a High Technology Centre and special tax incentives for businesses operating in rural areas or small towns.
Investment regulations have improved considerably in recent years too. Belarus has also been named in the top 10 for regulatory reform in the World Bank and IFC report Doing Business 2009.
• Highly skilled workforce
Almost 50% of workers in Belarus have a higher education.
• Industrially developed economy
Currently around a third of the Belarus GDP comes from the industrial sector.

What issues do you need to consider before setting up business in Belarus?
As with any new market, it's vital to do your research before embarking on any business venture in Belarus. As well as researching your market sector you should also find out about:
• legal requirements 
• employment laws 
• general business culture in Belarus

Where can you get further help and advice?
The Belarusian government is committed to attracting direct foreign investment and promoting international trade. Several bodies and ministries are available to provide help and assistance to foreign investors.
A number of international law and accountancy firms have offices in Belarus. There are also several commercial organisations in Belarus that specialise in helping foreign companies enter the market.

INVESTING IN BELARUS
Belarusian and German businessmen participate in the Investment in Business and Regional Development Forum.
An overview of the benefits of investing in Belarus, the business environment, and the organisations that can support your Belarus trade initiative…

Why should you invest in Belarus?
Belarus today is an attractive prospect for potential investors. The many benefits for investors include:

• economic stability
• 6 free economic zones 
• progressive investment legislation guaranteeing protection of investors' rights
• Foreign Investment Advisory Council under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus
• strategic geographical location
• highly skilled workforce
• industrially developed economy
• well-developed transport and communications infrastructure

How about economics in Belarus? Are the banks in Belarus reliable?
Since Belarus gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country has seen steady economic growth, particularly in recent years.
Belarusian banks offers a wide range of services. Special attention is turned to lending to people, investment projects, housing construction, assistance of the agricultural industry.
The bulk of the capital of the banking system (nearly 85%) is in five system-forming banks – Belagroprombank, Belarusbank, Priorbank, Belpromstroibank, Belinvestbank.
Founded in 1991, the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus is the major part of the country's banking system. It is based on the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the Banking Code, etc. Its management bodies are the Board of Directors (its chairman and members are appointed by the President of Belarus) and the Council of Directors. The National Bank represents the country in the international organizations on the issues under its competence, has a right to participate in the activity of the international banking funds and associations, open representative offices in other countries.
Commercial banks in Belarus operate with a degree of autonomy, and many foreign banks are also represented in the country.
Belarus is a member of several key international organisations:

• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• World Bank
• European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

Are there any examples of successful investment projects in Belarus?
Yes. International companies in Belarus have been involved in numerous successful investment projects, contributing significant revenues and infrastructure improvements to the Belarusian economy.
Read our international investment case studies.

Are there any agencies that can help me invest in Belarus?
Yes. The National Investment Agency of Belarus was established by the Government specifically to help attract foreign investment into Belarus.
There are also a number of other ministries, agencies and organisations that can help.