Government Slings the Hatchet with Entrepreneurs

Negotiations between authorities and individual entrepreneurs (IEs) lasted more than 4 hours.

Finally, problems were discussed on the territory of the authorities. Yesterday the Economy Ministry held a sitting of a working group on IEs' activity.

It should be reminded that Petr Arushanyants, Director of Entrepreneurship Department in the Economy Ministry, promised to create a working group on critical issues at the Forum of February 1, Minsk. Earlier, entrepreneurs were insisting on invitation to the sittings of public and advisory committee on entrepreneurship development in the Economy Ministry.

"The main topic of discussion was Decree No. 48 (certificates - editor's note). We offered to grant those who paid a single tax a remission of this decree, Anatol Zmitrovich, Director of analysis center Republican Federation of Entrepreneurship, told tut.by. - Authorities agree they have made the cup run over. It is some kind of bilateral rapprochement".

Anatol Zmitrovich says that they discussed abatement in fines for violation of regulations of the Customs Union. "Representatives of the authorities have agreed that it is incorrect when discrepancies in documents put on the same footing as absence of any documentation," Zmitrovich said.

Anatol Shumchanka, leader of Perspective, who also was present there, told that representatives of the State Committee for Standardization and Metrology confirmed that there would be no inspections within first six months. "The meeting brought no new news. But what counts is that the negotiation process has been launched, Anatol Shumchanka stated.

It should be reminded that earlier the State Committee for Standardization and Metrology assured that it would not take any inspections within first 6 months, but continue monitoring. Unscheduled inspections will take place only when monitoring proves "serious nonconformities to all requirements", as well as complaints of consumers.

Regular sitting of the working group on activity of IEs is dated for February 11. "Decree No. 222 will be on agenda. Only after it the issue on further consideration in the Council of Ministers will be decided, Shumchanka specified. - It is planned to hold such meetings every Thursday during a variable period."

Before the meeting Anatol Shumchanka, leader of Perspective, stated that only suppliers, who brought goods to the Customs Union, or producers must be responsible for goods certification. "It must be specified in Decree No. 48 "On State Control for Compliance with Regulations," Anatol Shumchanka stated.

According to him, Decree No. 222 must be on agenda. It should be reminded that this document subjects all entrepreneurs to import goods only with accompanying documents.

Such representatives of the Economy Ministry as its head Uladzimir Zinouski, his deputy Iryna Kastsevich, Deputy Trade Minister Iryna Narkevich, representatives of the State Committee for Standardization and Metrology.

Representatives of business unions, Sadruzhnasts Trade Union, councils of individual entrepreneurs of markets and shopping centers, regional centers and some districts were invited as well.

It should be reminded that Perspective directed application to Mingorispolkom to hold a rally on February 15, Peoples' Friendship Park. Brest entrepreneurs also announced intention to hold a rally.