Belarus
Belorussian business is fairly formal in attitude and the climate makes the wearing of business suits tolerable for most of the year. Men adopt the standard dark suit, white shirt, and necktie. Don't be surprised if Belorussian male counterparts wear the same attire for an entire week of meetings. Belorussian women may dress in a more sexually provocative manner (even for office attire) than Western professional counterparts. Foreign female managers can avoid unwanted comments and attention by maintaining a conservative business dress standard. English is widely used in management circles and knowledge of German might also be useful. Cards should have a Russian translation on the back. Business transactions are likely to take quite a long time.
Office hours: 0900-1800 Monday to Friday.
Criminal acts affecting foreigners are usually in the form of car thefts, vandalism, and muggings. Car thefts and vandalism are directed against cars popular with the newly rich. The most frequently stolen vehicles are Mercedes and BMW cars. Audis and high end four wheel drive vehicles such as Jeep Cherokees and Land Rovers have also been reported stolen. Car jackings or attempted car jackings by armed criminals have occurred. Owners of these vehicles should be especially alert to anyone following them to their homes or loitering near their residences when they are parking. In these types of situations do not stop. Instead, drive past your house and proceed to a police station or other public place and contact the police.
Muggings occur in poorly lighted less traveled areas at night. . Jostling or bumping, thrusting a notice or flyer into the intended victim's face or crowding him, are some of the distraction techniques used to steal purses and wallets. In the metro, criminals time purse snatching or pick pocketing with the arrival or departure of trains in order to expedite their escape. Pick pocketing and purse snatching are prevalent at Brussels? three major train stations, the Gare du Nord (North Station), Gare Central (Central Station), and especially, the Gare du Midi (South Train Station). Purses have been stolen out of unlocked cars while the driver is stopped at a light. Purses, briefcases, cellular phones, backpacks, cameras, etc, have been stolen from parked cars when they are readily visible, or the owner has been observed placing them in the trunk. Purses have also been stolen from women out walking
Minsk is a relatively quiet city for its size. There are numerous parks in and around the city for those who like to walk and exercise. The main shopping area is small and easy to get around on foot. When walking late in the evening, one should remember to be alert to his/her surroundings, walk in well-lit or heavily trafficked areas avoiding side streets and dark paths through parks if at all possible. The value of the currency is such that carrying large quantities of cash is unavoidable. Cash should be distributed around various pockets avoiding the use of backpacks or large handbags.
The local police are largely inefficient due to extremely limited resources, inexperience, poor training and low morale. It is not unusual for the police to respond to crime scenes, especially outside the city of Minsk, several days after the fact. Police officers sometimes must use public transportation to respond to a crime scene, or wait until a vehicle is available. Police investigators have to face on an on going basis, hundreds of unsolved, open cases requiring their individual attention. The Militia, also called the GAI (transportation police), is well-known for being rude to foreigners, especially to women who drive vehicles and are notorious for shaking down motorists for a "fine" of a few thousand rubles for an imaginary traffic violation. The lack of adequate salaries in the militia generates poor morale and reports of drunken police officers on duty are quite common.
The growth of organized crime in Belarus is becoming a serious economic, social and political concern. While the threat posed by organized crime in Belarus does not approach the levels in Russia, Ukraine or Lithuania, organized crime groups have infiltrated the economic structure and legitimate business. While the term "Mafia" is often used much too liberally in describing questionable business activities in Belarus, organized crime has in fact established a solid base of operations in the business community. Foreign firms interested in establishing business relationships or creating partnerships in Belarus should do so with great care.
Businessmen should also not be surprised by the visit of two or more individuals who will offer "protection" for a particular amount of money. These extortion pitches are documented and real. Actual extortion attempts or threats for a piece of the "action" have been reported as well. Companies should be prepared to receive these individuals and not discount their intentions, nor their capabilities should threats be made. Ministry of internal affairs officials should be notified immediately, if any such threats should occur.
While they do not meet western standards, Minsk (where many of the larger hotels are situated on Masherov Prospekt), Brest, Grodno, Mogilev and Vitebsk have 3- and 2-star hotels. There is a 1-star hotel in Pinsk.
Telephone IDD is available to all major cities, including Minsk 172 and Brest 162. Country code: 375. When dialing from abroad the 0 of the area code must not be omitted. International calls from Belarus must go through the operator. Fax/telex services are available in some larger hotels in Minsk such as the Yubileynaya and the Planeta. There are also public fax offices available although their reliability relates directly to the availability of international phone lines. Telegrams can be sent from hotels. Airmail to Western Europe takes a minimum of ten days. Larger hotels offer Poste Restante services. Electricity is 220V, 50Hz. Adaptors are recommended.
220V, 50Hz. Adaptors are recommended.
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In addition to Belarusian dishes, there is also a good selection of international and Russian specialties available.
Things to know: Beer and vodka can be bought round the clock from all-night kiosks and food shops. Coffee is generally available with meals and in cafes, although standards vary. Some bars are open until the early hours of the morning, while some close around 2100.National specialties:
• Belarusian borshch, a soup made with beetroot, is served hot with sour cream.
• Other excellent specialties are filet à la
Minsk and Minsk cutlet.
• Regional cooking is often based on potatoes with mushrooms and berries as favorite side dishes.
• Local dishes well worth trying are dracheny, a tasty potato dish with mushrooms, and draniki which is served with pickled berries.
• Mochanka is a thick soup mixed with lard accompanied by hot pancakes. National drinks:
• Beloveszhskaya Bitters are made from over 100 different herbs and have an interesting flavor.
• A favorite drink is chai (black tea). Tipping:
10 per cent is usual. In some hotels in Minsk and other cities a 10 to 15 per cent service charge is added to the bill. Porters expect a tip of US$1-2.Nightlife
A thriving cultural scene with opera, ballet, theater, circus and puppet theater can be found in Minsk. Brest also has a renowned puppet theater. Tickets can be bought in advance at underground stations or at the Central Theater Ticket Office (Skoriny 13; opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-2000, Sun 1100-1700). Same-day tickets are only available at the venue in question. Minsk now has a reasonable selection of restaurants, some of which offer live music. There are also discos, music venues and bars in the city. Many clubs are open all night.
