Along with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian side at the meeting was represented by Pavel Latushka, United Transitional Cabinet Deputy Head and Representative for the Transit of Power, Aleś Alaсhnovič, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Economic Reforms, and Franak Viacorka, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Minister Magdalena Rzeczkowska for supporting Belarusian businesses and noted the importance of expanding projects like the Polish Business Harbour, which allowed a number of companies and IT specialists feeling at risk to relocate to Poland. Pavel Latushka suggested expanding the program to small and medium-sized companies, including from other sectors.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also said that even in Poland, Belarusian entrepreneurs face problems with legalizing their stay, moving their operations, employees and their families from Belarus, and opening bank accounts. Today, only two Polish banks – PKO BP and Santander – open accounts for Belarusian citizens and companies with Belarusian investments without unnecessary problems. There are other examples of discrimination (like in access to financing or open business competitions) as some banks and organizations refuse to cooperate with companies of Belarusian origin.
Aleś Alaсhnovič, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor on Economic Reforms and leader of the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (ABBA), told the Minister about the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's economic team and ABBA to establish a guarantee fund for Belarusian companies in the European Union and invited her to support it. Consultations on the initiative are underway with the European Commission and the Polish financial sector. Mr. Alaсhnovič also emphasized the need for a verification procedure for Belarusian businesses to separate honest private businesses from companies supporting the regime, facilitating the war, and involved in circumventing sanctions. For his part, Pavel Latushka suggested that the Minister prepare a briefing note for Polish institutions explaining the sanctions policy to minimize cases of groundless discrimination against Belarusians.
The parties agreed to establish a working group to support Belarusian businesses, involving representatives of the Belarusian side, the Polish Ministry of Finance, Polish Ministry of Economic Development, and other Polish bodies and organizations. The group is to address the most important issues of Belarusian businesses in Poland. They also agreed to create an information booklet in the Belarusian language about the business climate in Poland and the terms and conditions of opening and doing business in Poland, including the taxation system. Easier relocation to Poland for Belarusian businesses will provide additional protection for them against political persecution by the regime.
