Viachaslau Pilipuk: Taxes are growing while demand for goods is declining

Many market traders suspend their work for summer.

Viachaslau Pilipuk, an activist of Perspective initiative and sole trader from Minsk, said it in an interview with Radio Racyja.

“Buying capacity of Belarusians was already low, but it declines further in summer. We monitor shopping malls and see that there are no customers, and many traders suspend their work for summer. We prepare proposals to the authorities to cancel all scheduled audits and checks at least until 2016 and reduce taxes. Shopping malls will soon get empty. Rentors see it and reduce rental fees. But even this measure will not save the situation. About 15 shopping malls will soon be opened in the country, most of them in Minsk. Who will work there?” he wonders.

– How do sole traders cope with the phased increase in taxes?

– In the current economic conditions, taxes are like legcuffs. Taxes are growing constantly, while demand for goods is declining.

– How do market traders survive?

– Most of them break even or sell leftovers to get working capital. Many go on holidays for at least two months to see how the situation will develop.

– Is there a hope for the revival of the small business movement?

– Everything is possible if sole traders and government representatives gather for talks and begin to look for a way out. The authorities should understand that small and medium-sized business is the people who are able to revive the economy. Plants stop working in Belarus, the foreign currency market is unstable... You can see that the planned economy doesn't work. We must transit to market relations. Sole traders can become the driving force. They just need conditions, and they will begin to put forward ideas to make life better. Is this bad that new jobs will appear in the country?