Experts Say Authorities Fear of Uncontrolled Private Business

Belarusian entrepreneurs do not feel any improvement of the business climate.

Belarus takes 37th position among 190 countries in the list presented by Doing Business.

Last October our country took position No. 50.

Does it mean that it has become easier for Belarusian entrepreneurs to do business?

Karyahin: Belarus needs to enter top-10 list to ensure a significant improvement of the business climate.

- Our economic freedom index, competitiveness index, corruption index are things that make difference. And there we take the lowest positions, Chairman of the Presidium of the Republican Confederation of Entrepreneurship Uladzimir Karyahin says in an interview to Zautra Tvaye Krainy.

According to him, in addition to the Doing Business that characterizes the business climate, there are more than 150 ratings in the world that determine different aspects of relationships between business and government.

- In some aspects we even lose position. For example, a few years ago we took the 8th position in business registration access, and now - 31th, the source says.

The expert believes Belarus needs to enter top -10 list of the World Bank to ensure a significant improvement of the business climate.

- We make much proposals to the government. We participate in development strategies for enterprises until 2030, promoting the National Business Platform of Belarus. We hope we will be heard, Uladzimir Karyahin notes.

Marholin: The government treats small business like an uncontrollable element

According to economist and entrepreneur Leu Marholin, the rating of Doing Business objectively reflects the situation only in countries with market economies.

- In Belarus, in fact, it does not correspond to reality. Many aspects are being evaluated, but it does not clear what has promoted Belarus by 7 points, the economist says.

He believes that there have been no significant steps made towards deterioration or improvement of doing business in our country. The crisis in the economy, according to him, does not affect the rating.

The expert stresses that the government now, in fact, does not pay attention to small- and mid-size business.

- Local authorities have some funds to support those who start business, as well as those who lose jobs. But this is not an innovation. It cannot be considered as certain steps towards small- and mid-size business, the expert believes.

According to him, the Belarusian authorities want to use administrative levers to control the entire economy,

- Large enterprises, especially state-owned, and large private companies can be easily controlled, the economist says. - But the small business, if it could make 60% of GDP, would be out of control, like it happens in many developed countries.

The expert notes that only when the authority feels its impotence a small business is given the green light. For example, a small roadside business. First, the authorities tried to develop it centrally, but saw that it was impossible, and then private owners entered the game.

- Generally speaking, the government treats the small business like an uncontrollable element which jeopardizes the order in the country, Leu Marholin believes.