MINSK, 24 December (BelTA) – The Eurasian Economic Union has survived in conditions of the pandemic, BelTA learned from Iya Malkina, Aide to the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission, during a video briefing on 24 December.
The official said that there is no doubt the Eurasian Economic Union has survived the test of the pandemic. Measures were taken to adjust customs tariffs. Goods needed to forestall and prevent the spread of the coronavirus were exempted from import customs duties. In particular, she mentioned means of individual protection, disinfectants, and diagnostic reagents.
Support was granted to the branches of the manufacturing sector that had been experiencing problems due to the pandemic. Decisions were made to reduce rates of import customs duties on certain kinds of raw materials the leather and footwear industries needed, photographic plates, and other things.
The Eurasian Economic Union member states worked together to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Eurasian Intergovernmental Council authorized a complex action plan in the area of healthcare and sanitary and epidemiological safety of the population. The countries shared information about the epidemic situation and antiviral measures. Joint scientific researches were carried out to develop vaccines and diagnostic test systems. Medical personnel were trained and offered advanced training. A procedure to respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases was worked out. Green corridors to ensure international freight transportation were created as part of the work.
As for support for the private sector amid the pandemic, the division run by Minister for Industry and Agribusiness of the Eurasian Economic Commission Artak Kamalyan is now working together with chambers of commerce and industry of the member states and the Eurasian Development Bank in order to work out procedures to support the manufacturing sector. Co-financing of exhibition participation costs, co-financing of jointly made products in third countries, and preferential funding for investment projects involving EAEU enterprises, including those located in third countries, are some of the options under consideration.
