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Mikalai Charnavus: Autumn Will Be Hot in Belarus

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Mikalai Charnavus: Autumn Will Be Hot in Belarus

Individual entrepreneurs (IEs) are ready to join protest actions across the country.

The number of alarming signals from entrepreneurs has been increasing in the regions. Markets are flooded with traders from Central Asia. Belarusian entrepreneurs ring the alarm, the situation has got out of control. Foreign "businessmen" are granted a whole lobby of a polyclinic in Rahachou, the same happens in other small towns. Unfair traders occupied almost all areas: they lease 100-500 square meters, and violate all legislative norms.

At the same time, the Ministry of Finance announced changes to the Tax Code, which only makes the life of Belarusian entrepreneurs more complex.

Issues whether it is reasonable to say that officials lobby for interests of traders from Central Asia, whether Belarusian business can stay afloat after next "surprises" of tax authorities, whether entrepreneurs appear in the Square followed by "spongers" are discussed by Charter97.org with Baranavichy activist and entrepreneur Mikalai Charnavus.

- A real invasion of traders from Central Asia has begun. It is not so relevant for large cities. It's not time yet. There are four retail outlets open in Baranavichy. The city is big and they are still not notable. But this is a complete disaster for small towns. I know an entrepreneur from Krupki and he says that these "birds of passage" put out all the business in the town.

It's little wonder that people buy things there. Workers at factories and enterprises earn 200 rubles. People need to survive somehow. Belarusians have become very concerned about prices. They save every penny. One'd better buy things at lower prices.

Our entrepreneurs have no opportunity to compete: they have to pay for rent, taxes, duties. And these "birds of passage" ahve benefits and full carte blanche. Employees are not registered, they do not use cash registers, there are no certificates for products.

How is it possible to compete then? This is the disaster for towns.

- Why do authorities use double standards: raise requirements for IEs and turn a blind eye to numerous violations by traders from Central Asia? Is it possible to say that someone is "patronizing" them?

- Everything is paid out here. Being an entrepreneur I can say that I need to knock on every door at the District Executive Committee to have numerous papers from bureaucrats to open a trading point. And they paid it out. They are granted areas and we have to win a tender to rent them. These people always have a green light.

It can be said that there is a single center for managing this business. They have very similar methods of work, traders avoid inspections. Goods are delivered by trucks. It is evident that they paid a pretty good penny in Minsk. And Belarusian entrepreneurs have to close down.

And if we talk about quality, then it is awful. I'm not an expert, but if one wears such a sweater and several times, it loses its form. Our products are better, but more expensive.

It is necessary close down this business, we can't work well.

- The Finance Ministry announced changes to the Tax Code. Will it be able to gain any profit after such tax innovations?

- The situation in the Belarusian business is deteriorating not every month, but every day.

Goods turnover is constantly falling, people's pockets are empty. In summer the trade is still more or less good, people go on vacation, they want to buy something, Russians arrive. And entrepreneurs make some money. But people expect the fall with fear; it will be a real "naked season".

Baranavichy entrepreneurs themselves approach me and say: let us go together with "spongers" in September and claim our rights, we will go out with posters to lower rent, taxes. Exactions have become too high.

We will protest, there is no other way out. We prepare actions, autumn will be hot.

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