8623 companies with Belarusian roots are registered in the EU countries. 75% of firms and individual entrepreneurs chose Poland to relocate or start a business from scratch.
The main problems of Belarusians in all countries are financial, as well as legalization and lack of information, according to the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (ABBA).
Only 24% of Belarusian entrepreneurs who have registered businesses in EU countries are satisfied with the support of the countries that have accepted them. Poland is the friendliest. In the Baltic states, the conditions of relocation and legalization of Belarusians have deteriorated significantly, the ABBA says.
ABBA conducted a study on how many Belarusian businesses operate in the European Union; what business sentiments entrepreneurs have; how they choose a country for business and which country is the most popular; whether Belarusian businessmen use state business support programs in EU countries.
125 entrepreneurs who are at the stage of launching, establishing or maturing enterprises in the EU markets were interviewed.
It was business owners (95%) who answered the questionnaire questions – people mostly under the age of 54, with higher education. There are significantly fewer women than men, the ABBA noted.
For 41% of respondents, the business was relational from Belarus, the rest started or are starting from scratch.
As of January 1, 2024, 8623 companies with Belarusian beneficiaries were registered in the EU countries. Of these, the vast majority in Poland is 75%. 10% in Lithuania, 7% in Estonia, 4% in Latvia, and another 4% in other countries.
In 2023, Belarusians registered 1,761 companies (in 2022 it was 1945). 1,694 new companies have appeared in Poland, 58 in Lithuania, and 9 in Estonia.
