Conditions For Small Business Worsened :: Charter'97 :: News

State of small business in Belarus has worsened over the past year, believe the leaders of the businessmen’s movement. The chairman of the Belarusian public organization “Private Property” Leanid Malakhaw considers the past year “rather stressful” for entrepreneurs. “A few unpopular decrees on small business have been adopted, which restrict and complicate work of the businessmen”, -- he said.

Many innovations as said by Malakhaw, “made us involved into a lot of fuss and trouble instead of simple business activities”. “Speaking about gains of the businessmen’s movement over the last year, I must say that entrepreneurs have overcome their fear and dared to fight for their rights not only through actions, but also through legal actions”, - said Malakhaw. “More than 3.5 thousands businessmen, according to rough estimate, took part in the rally “For Better Life!” in spring of 2003, and about 100 thousands – in nation-wide strike of entrepreneurs”.

One of the main disappointments named by the chairman of the “Private Property” was disability of the deputies of the “national assembly chamber” of Belarus, whom businessmen addressed, to protect them from tyranny of officials.