Khalaf Al Habtoor, Chairman, Al Habtoor Group visits Belarus

Mr. Al Habtoor said he is impressed with what Belarus has to offer, "Belarus is a great nation with a prosperous future, I have no doubt about it. The country's economy is emerging and I believe it has a lot of investment potential."

Economic growth averaged 2.5 per cent for the first eight months of 2012, according to official data released recently. Belarus has vast amounts of agricultural land, and the country is becoming more self-sufficient. In the January to August period the country's agricultural output growth rate exceeded 107 per cent, according to government data.

The Al Habtoor Group Chairman held a series of meetings with high-profile delegates in Belarus, including Nikolai Ladutko, the Mayor of Minsk; Oleg Kachan, Minister of Sports and Tourism; Sergei Teterin, Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Tennis Federation and Vice President of the Belarusian National Olympic Committee.

Al Habtoor also toured the national center for equestrian sport training and horse breeding in Ratomka, "I am very impressed with the landscape of the country, it is extremely well maintained throughout the city and surrounding areas and the people here are extremely welcoming," he said.

"I would like to congratulation the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, for the good work he has done for the country. He has made Belarus an attract place to invest."