New Taxes Introduced, Privileges Abolished To Fill Budget In Belarus

The Ministry of Finance announced a plan to "find" extra money for Lukashenka’s coffers which is growing scanty.

Deputy Minister of Finance Yury Seliverstau voiced additional sources of replenishment of the budget of Belarus, answering the questions of "deputies" of the "chamber of representatives", BelTA has learned.

"One of the main sources of replenishment of the budget may be the expansion of the tax base, the inclusion of other incomes into the tax base, abolition of privileges, as well as improvement of the real sector’s performance. There are no other sources, which could significantly supplement the budget. The medium-term program of the government, which has been adopted for the next three years, confirms this", - the Deputy Minister told.

Yury Seliverstau said that the work on the realization of the state property was being carried out in the country.

"We are considering the issues not only of particular economic entities, but also presume the sale of the Belinvestbank shares, in cooperation with the EBRD. The work on this issue is in progress, but there are negative tendencies at our neighbours and in the world economy, there are not so many wishing to purchase our property for a decent money. We don’t have great expectations that we will sell our property and replenish the budget, but this work is underway, and we will continue it, "- he stressed.