Belarus' government to step up efforts to stimulate business development in regions

MINSK (BelTA) – The Belarusian government suggests improving doing business conditions in small, medium-sized towns and rural areas. These changes are on the agenda of the session held by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on 29 October, BelTA has learned.

The head of state reminded that he had once made a decision to stimulate business in regions and set up production facilities there. Ordinance No. 6 which provided for bonuses and preferences for those willing to do business in rural areas was passed in 2012. “The government believes that it is time to introduce certain amendments and addenda,” the President said.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that the ordinance has been operational for more than three years. The head of state was interested in the efficiency of this document and asked whether the amended document will be still focused on the promotion of investments in the production process and whether these amendments will help accelerate the process of setting up new enterprises in small towns and rural areas.

“Why is it necessary to introduce amendments?” the President asked those present at the meeting.

First Vice Premier Vasily Matyushevsky said that Ordinance No. 6 has been productive. In his words, from 1 July 2012 to 1 January 2015 the number of economic operators in small and medium-sized towns, rural areas increased by 38%. Over 35,000 organizations and self-employed businessmen have been registered there. The corresponding number in large cities went up 2.6%. Vasily Matyushevsky noted that the number of economic operators is on the rise in all regions. The leader is Mogilev Oblast where the number of economic operators has almost doubled; this number in Gomel Oblast and Vitebsk Oblast increased more than 1.5 times, in Minsk Oblast and Brest Oblast – 1.3 times.