Lukashenka promised Russian bankers not to “zhlobstvovat”(be too stringy) :: Charter'97 :: News

Alyaksandr Lukashenka considers cooperation of Belarus with the “Alfa Group” consortium in terms of attraction of foreign investments to the Belarusian economy. “It is the second time that I am raising the issue of your buying the controlling block of Mezhtorgbank shares”, declared A.Lukashenka when meeting with head of the supervisory board of directors of Alfa Group Mikhail Fridman.

“It is beneficial to us that such bank should be presented in our country”, A. Lukashenka thanked Fridman for ”investments into the Belarusian economy, which account for hundred million dollars”, Interfax reports.

Lukashenka counts that when working in Belarus the Alfa Group will participate “in social projects”. “We are not going to raise the crossbar too high lest you should think that they are too stingy in Belarus taking all your profit gained here. We are practically experienced in the support of this kind. The most important thing is to assure our people that businessmen come here not only for increasing their wealth but they won’t forget about the people living in the country”, Lukashenka announced.

When replying Fridman stressed “ we are considering the opportunity of working in Belarus with great interest and eagerness”. “For us it is a very important step. We regard it in terms of our long-term and stable presence in Belarus. We would like to settle here for a long time”, M.Fridman said. He also added that judging by the Alfa Group experience of working in Ukraine and Kazakstan “ we would like to be the resident Bank in Belarus”.

M.Fridman declared to Lukashenka that currently ”they have achieved principal agreements with Piotr Prakapovich (Piotr Prakapovich is chairman of the board of the National Bank of Belarus)”.