Grayling Blog

Grayling & Belarus

Posted on 25.03.2011 by Michael Murphy

There has been some criticism recently about the Grayling presence in Belarus and I wanted to set the record straight.

Grayling’s office in Moscow began to look at the market in Belarus in 2009 after we noticed more and more global multi-nationals starting to open up a presence there. In the Autumn of 2009 we launched at a reception kindly hosted for us by the British Ambassador at her Residence, and opened a small office in Minsk. Our largest paid project in Belarus to date has been an awareness campaign about Hepatitis C and the importance that more priority should be put into screening, diagnosing and treating Hepatitis C as well as support for its sufferers.

Grayling does not, nor has it ever, done any work for the government of Belarus, lobbied on its behalf or otherwise acted as an advocate for the government or its policies. Grayling is one of a number of international professional services businesses, such as lawyers and accountants, who have a presence in Belarus, advising Belarusian businesses abroad and international businesses considering inward investment in Belarus, creating local jobs and training. There are no UN sanctions against Belarus and we are 100% compliant with the EU sanctions against the leaders of the Belarusian government.

Grayling is always very careful when it operates in countries which have a different approach to democracy and human rights than what would be regarded as normal in the EU or North America. We use the same policies as we do in, for instance, Russia or China. We believe that openness and engagement leads to trust and change. We support respect for the rights of individuals and believe that long-term national progress comes about through both the assured safety of, and economic opportunity for, a country’s citizens.

Posted by Michael Murphy, Global CEO, Grayling