Problems of entrepreneurs to be discussed in Lukashenka’s Administration in their absence

A session on entrepreneurial activity is to take place in Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s Administration today.

Radio Svaboda reminds that deputy minister of economy Andrei Tur promised privileged regime of import of goods from Russia would be prolonged for a year. He said a draft decree changed the date from 2009 to 2010. What is the future of this proposal? Tur noted:

“I can’t say anything about its future and the time this decision will be taken. President has a session on this issue tomorrow.”

According to Tur, representatives of business organizations won’t take part in the session.

One of the leaders of entrepreneurs’ movement Alyaksandr Makaeu said the joint session of business organizations decided to support a resolution of participants of the rally on December 15:

“On January 12, at 12 noon, entrepreneurs will organize a rally on October square. We advise entrepreneurs to apply for vacation in January. Some of them won’t pay for lease, some won’t pay taxes. If nothing will change in January, markets will stop work.”

The Republican Confederation of Business introduced a proposal on economy liberalization to the head of state. Chairman of the confederation Uladzimir Karahin noted the authorities shouldn’t worsen conditions for individual entrepreneurs, but preserve the acting ones:

“Employment market has faced problems. Migrant workers return from Russia and other countries. The economic crisis has affected enterprises of the republic. Proportionately equal taxation system for individual entrepreneurs should have been proposed. Entrepreneurs should be supported in order they can have rythmical work, be useful and not join the unemployed.”

Two presidential decrees have been recently issued, touching on individual entrepreneurs. Alyaksandr Lukashenka set a minimal 3-year lease term and cancelled compulsory state registration. By the second decree, he suspended auditing until a special decree regulation generalized order of auditing and supervision.

Viktar Harbachou, leader of association “For Free Development of Business”, said entrepreneurs expect the authorities to take stronger steps:

“A question arises: who will be audited next year if 120-150 thousands of entrepreneurs are liquidated? This question of control no longer arises. Another thing: those who needed to lease premises prolonged contracts for the second and third years. Contracts were underground. I hope, it is an attempt to loosen up conditions for entrepreneurs. But it’s too good to be true. However entrepreneurs are waiting for.”

On December 15, March of Entrepreneurs and a rally organized by Perspektyva association, was held in Minsk. Participants of the rally demanded to preserve old conditions of their work and cancel the current order of employment. They demand to allow them employing of five persons, who are not their relatives. They offered Lukashenka to create a special commission in his administration consisting of representatives of business institutions, and consider competence of officials who allowed worsening of the situation in small and medium business.