MINSK, 10 December (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia are in talks over the unification of their excise policy. Belarus insists that the unification should not have a negative impact on the domestic market, Belarusian Finance Minister Maksim Yermolovich told reporters following a session hosted by the Belarusian president to discuss efforts to improve the efficiency of the tobacco industry, BelTA has learned.
“Talks are underway on the unification of the excise policy within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union and as part of our efforts to deepen cooperation with Russia,” the minister said answering a question about a possible impact of the harmonization of Belarus-Russia tax laws on prices for tobacco products in Belarus.
“The president has given clear-cut instructions on excises. Decisions taken on excises should not affect the state of the domestic market and cause a surge in illegal trade. There should not be any price hike on the domestic market,” Maksim Yermolovich said.
