No competition for Belarusian programmers in Southeast Asia, North America, Western Europe

Belarusian programmers enjoy rather high reputation on the markets of Southeast Asia, North America, and Eastern Europe, said Valery Tsepkalo, Director of the Hi-Tech Park Administration, during the online conference hosted by the BelTA website on 20 March to discuss innovative business in Belarus.

“It seems to me that the system we have built, the reputation we have earned primarily on the markets of Southeast Asia, North America, and Western Europe is rather high and there is no danger that we may face competition over there,” noted the Director of the Hi-Tech Park Administration.

The official explained that Belarusian programmers have always been seeking money-making opportunities abroad because the Belarusian market has always been small. To do it, Belarusian programmers needed excellent skills, including the knowledge of foreign languages. “If we take a look at our main companies, 90% of the personnel speak English,” noted Valery Tsepkalo.

At the same time he did not rule out the possibility that in view of the recent changes on the Russian domestic market where many Belarusian programmers worked, primarily in Moscow, Belarusian specialists may be forced out. “Since the paying capacity of the Russian domestic market has dropped, Russian programmers are now much cheaper. Therefore, it is obvious that Russian programmers will be forcing ours out,” believes Valery Tsepkalo.

Asked whether Russian programmers are coming to Belarus, the Director of the Hi-Tech Park Administration confirmed that they are. “The very best companies employ Russian specialists, too. For instance, I know a company that employs about 200 Muscovites,” he said. According to the source, if a company possesses some unique knowledge, not only Belarusians and Russians are willing to work there, specialists from Europe, America, and Japan are eager to get employed by the company.