Zaiko: “Usual juggling with interests of social groups is going on”

According to economists, the list of 16 types of activities for which licensing has been abolished is too short. Initially 35-50 types of economic activities were meant.

Licensing of 16 types of activities is to be cancelled in Belarus since January 1 next year. Among them are tourism, audit, lottery, transport-expediting activities, as well as activities for organizing and holding interactive games, fishing and hunting farm management, distribution of legal information. Licenses are no longer needed for retail trade (except for alcohol and tobacco) and telematic services, the European Radio for Belarus informs.

An economist Syarhei Chaly is fuming: “It is simply a mockery, and the reason is simple: this issue has a history of a year and a half. And 35-50 types of economic activities had been discussed initially. Abolition of such a tiny number of activities is a half-measure: we have done what you had asked from us, but in reality it is simply a mockery”.

The expert notes that main opponents of liberalization in this sphere were agencies that are responsible for issuing licenses. With abolition of licenses they risk to lose their income.

“They certainly opposed that,” Syarhei Chaly continues. “And this quantity, 16, shows that they have won in this struggle. It is simply ridiculous, they had been speaking about 35-50 activities, and now we have 16.”

Everything what is said today is pre-election things, Syarhei Chaly explains. He doubts that greater liberalization will take place before the presidential election. Such an opinion is also shared by an economist Leaned Zaika.

“The measures are as following: to give a big tasty piece of cake to voters before the election, and to stroke a business-kitten on the head. But it is not liberalization, not even half-liberalization, it is just juggling with interests of social groups,” Zaika believes.

The expert reminds that in the National platform of business elaborated by experts, allowance for abolition of licensing for most economic activities is made.

“Experts have come to a conclusion that only things related to security, health, arms and medicines trade should be licensed, and all other licenses abolished,” the expert says.

It should be noted that licenses for 37 types of activities has been preserved.