Authorities have in store more “surprises” for sole traders

It’s just the beginning of problems for sole traders who are retail traders.

Such an opinion was expressed on September 24 in Minsk at the round table discussion by a Minsk-based sole trader Mikalai Ramashyn.

“The recent events in Mahilyou show that the authorities have started to control the implementation of the new requirements about the obligatory documents keenly. I think it’s just a beginning,” Ramashyn said.

Last week sole traders who have retail outlets at the Central Market in Mahilyou, informed that on September 18 policemen, the Economic Crime Control Department and tax inspection carried out inspections which looked like raids accompanied by seizure of goods, BelaPAN informs.

“It is logical to suppose that after the demand to have certain documents, the state is going to make other moves to make the conditions for sole traders’ activities closer to the conditions for legal entities,” the businessman said. “For example, it is possible that cash money payments, buying of foreign currency at the exchange, and transfers through banks could be prohibited under a pretext of control and prevention of foreign currency resources outflow. They can also invent another trap, as our officials have a really rampant imagination.”

In this situation, as said by Ramashyn, a usual entrepreneur would not be able to work, as he does not have a team of employees who can follow all directions. Violations are inevitable, and penalties are to follow.

As noted by the expert, sole traders are partially to blame for the situation created. “I have always said that foolishness and greed are to ruin the small business in Belarus. Sole traders do not possess knowledge or experience for struggle for their rights, and at the same time they are passive, thinking that their problems are to be solved for them by others. It causes emerging of sole traders’ pseudo-leaders, who are not aimed at solving problems, but at foreign grant aid and self-advertising, while sole traders are left with their problems,” Mikalai Ramashyn stated.