Belarusian businessmen do not believe in “liberalization” of economy

Representatives of the Belarusian business are convinced that the authorities will give more promises but won’t change their attitude towards businessmen in 2010.

Big progress in economy liberalization can’t be expected in 2010, Syarhei Balykin, the head of the Association of Small and Medium Businesses, told in an interview to BelaPAN.

He thinks the “liberalization rhetoric” will grow and may reach its heights at the presidential election campaign.

“I am sure more spaces for a dialogue between the authorities and business will be created, but I do not think we’ll see fundamental changes. The year 2010 will be the year of several local victories of the business, possibly in the sectors of pricing and remuneration of labour,” Balykin supposed.

The Association leader pointed out coming into force the Special Part of the Tax Code and the Law on Budget. “It is the first time when the authorities have refused turnover taxes and specified allowances for economic entities,” he noted.

Syarhei Balykin also turned attention to increase in the value-added tax from 18 to 20 percent in 2010. “This innovation is especially unpleasant for manufacturers. Now, consumer goods importers may found themselves in more profitable conditions, because the increase in the value-added tax will be compensated by decline in rates of customs duties on certain groups of goods due to harmonization of positions within the frames of the Customs Union,” the head of the Association of Small and Medium Businesses said.