“I would like to emphasize the importance of trust and the promotion of equitable dialogue based on respect between the countries. This is a must for integration and cooperation in all economic areas. The utmost responsibility to create the environment for business – to break stereotypes and enable potential partners to measure the advantages of mutual cooperation in practice – lies with the governments,” Myasnikovich said on Thursday at the opening of the Lithuania-Belarus economic forum organized by the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists in Klaipėda.
“Establishment of joint ventures and implementation of joint projects will bring us more benefits than protectionism and isolation”, he stated.
Close to 500 joint companies with Lithuanian capital were active in Belarus, Myasnikovich said.
“Trade between the two countries almost doubled in the last five years to come close to 2.1 billion US dollars last year. I think everyone would agree that the potential of cooperation between Lithuania and Belarus is high and it is not fully used and we are in favor of its mutually advantageous realization,” he said.
Myasnikovich in particular mentioned many projects in machine building, wood processing, logistics, trade, and agriculture.
“What is particularly important is that the majority of these projects involve high technologies and innovative solutions. These are forward-looking solutions, which may have an impact on the future of European economy during next twenty or thirty years,” Belarusian Prime Minister said.
