Why Belarus?
1. Strategically advantageous location
Accommodation business on the territory of Belarus enables companies to efficiently serve the largest and fastest growing markets in the countries of the European Union (505 million consumers), Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries (282 million consumers).
Favorable geographical location of Belarus, developed transportation and logistics and manufacturing system of the country combined with its membership in integration associations. Should be allocated to the Eurasian economic Union of Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kazakhstan (EEU).
All of these factors provide unique opportunities for companies interested in the formation and dynamic development of their business in the Eurasian region.
2. Direct access to the market of EEU countries (Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia)
Today companies investing in Belarus automatically have access to the market of the EAEC.
The EAEU is:
- The free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour;
- The customs Union of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Armenia with the common customs tariff;
- Equal business conditions (including the cost of basic energy resources);
- Single rules of technical regulation, single sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary standards.
3. Competitive investment and tax climate
In Belarus there are a number of preferential regimes which could be of use for foreign companies, including from the point of view of their taxation planning and optimization. They include special preferential economic conditions for the organization business within six free economic areas (0% — profit tax for 5 years, after 5 years the profit tax at a rate reduced by 50% of the rate established by the tax legislation, but no more than at the rate of 12%; 10% VAT), high-tech Park (0% — profit tax 0% VAT) and the Belarusian-Chinese industrial Park (0% — income tax for 10 years). Foreign companies can also derive additional profit by the maximum decrease of investment expenses and taxation burden while placing their businesses on the territory of small and medium towns of Belarus (0% — profit tax for 7 years).
Belarus strives to create open and favourable conditions for doing business in their territory.
4. Developed transport and logistics infrastructure
Because of its geo-economic location, Belarus is a transportation and logistics "hub" of the Eurasian region. The transport infrastructure of Belarus is represented by wide network of roads, Railways, airlines. Highways crossing the country, are an essential element of the European transport system. So, Belarus is crossed by 2 pan-European transport corridor, according to the international classification № "II" ("West-East" — Berlin-Warsaw-Minsk-Moscow) and number "IX" ("North-South" — the Russian border with Finland-Vyborg-St. Petersburg-Vitebsk-Gomel-Ukraine-Moldova-Bulgaria-Greece) with a branch "IXB" — Gomel-Minsk-Vilnius-Klaipeda-Kaliningrad.
Annually through Belarus's territory are more than 100 million tonnes of European cargo, of which about 90% - between Russia and the EU. However, the transit potential of Belarus is far from exhausted: the Belarusian transportation corridors are loading no more than 25-40% of their real capacity.
Thus, Belarus is the optimal link between the CIS countries (primarily Russia) and EU countries that can be profitably used by foreign companies when placing in the country of their production, logistics and sales divisions.
5. Unique privatization opportunities
Belarus provides foreign companies with unique opportunities of speedy development of their business related to stepping up the country's privatization process. The share of the public sector accounts for about 70% of industrial production. Unlike Russia, other CIS countries and Eastern Europe, Belarus has retained the largest national enterprises in state ownership, thus ensuring their full support and, as a result, significantly increase their productive capacities and international competitiveness.
Currently, to further improve the efficiency of the national economy of Belarus by selecting the tactics of "pinpoint" privatization is interested in developing mutually beneficial cooperation with large strategic investors. Examples of successful privatization deals of recent years (selling state shares of "Beltransgaz" JV "Mobile digital network", etc.) is among Europe's largest mergers and acquisitions.
Today the National Agency of investment and privatization jointly with the world Bank, introduces modern approaches and instruments corresponding to the advanced international practice. They aimed to create a more open and understandable to foreign privatization conditions.
6. A highly skilled labor force
Belarus has one of the most educated, highly qualified, and industrious peoples. More than 90% of the population have higher, secondary or basic education. Well-established system of professional training and a high level of industrial development and services, enable Belarusian specialists to work successfully in companies of all industries, whether it be garment manufacturing, agriculture, biotechnologies or software development.
7. Decent "quality" of life
In the ranking of countries in terms of life of Belarus has taken a worthy 53rd place (out of 187) and is recognized as a leader among all CIS countries. The cost of living, housing, education and various cultural events are lower than in most Western and Eastern European countries. Along with the developed social infrastructure, Belarus has preserved a unique for a full and diverse life of people eco-friendly environment.