The Forum and agreement signing was hosted by Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko and Nikolai Snopkov, Minister of Economy and establishes Culligan BEL, which will be headquartered in Minsk.The agreement brings overseas investment into Belarus, creating an assembly and production for the high technology plant to be used in support of the Belarusian Government’s Clean Water Project, which will bring improved drinking water quality across Belarus.In addition, Culligan BEL will be supporting the infrastructure development for the World Hockey Championships in 2014 by offering its technology to the many new hotels and facilities being constructed and will also support water needs for industries such as food, beverage and power.Laurence Bower, senior vice-president EMEA of Culligan, said “we are very excited about taking this step in the Belarus market. We have been working here through partners for a number of years and felt that the investment and economic climate in Belarus was now right to develop a stronger local presence. Initially we will be targeting the Belarus market but as we grow and are successful locally, there is the potential to export equipment to the Customs Union and beyond.”Artem Kucherov, director of Culligan BEL, said “establishing a local entity and presence in Belarus enables Culligan to take advantage of highly skilled labour force and to fully participate in the initiatives of Energy Saving and Development of Small Towns promoted by the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services and Minsk City Executive. Culligan is already working on the drinking water projects including those for Felistsianovo, Petrovshchina and Vitkovshchina, and having local assembly and production will enable us to better serve these towns with the high technology requirements and ongoing technical support.”