MINSK, 26 August (BelTA) – It is necessary to reconsider some ill-conceived decisions in trade, including decisions related to digitalization, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss the efficiency of the country’s retail service system, BelTA has learned.
“The latest examples of ill-considered decisions include the requirement to obtain electronic digital signatures and the mandatory labeling of goods with special tags and marks. For a small, three-shelf shop, this is quite a challenge. Do you, those present, especially those representing the trade sector, understand what you are proposing for these small shops in the countryside?” asked the head of state.
“In any endeavor, you can descend into absurdity through administrative overreach. Take, for example, the mindless digitalization of dairy accounting and sales, which is a mere tribute to fashion. This move provoked outrage from both customers and sellers across all regions, even leading to resignations,” the Belarusian leader stated.
Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed the government to revisit the issue as soon as possible and streamline the procedures using common sense, and, if necessary, establish a special framework tailored for rural areas.
“Grannies in the village need milk, meat, and a piece of bread, not digitalization,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said, describing what the rural population expects of a retail outlet.
Commenting on this topic following the meeting, Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade (MART) Artur Karpovich told reporters that this issue falls under the purview of his ministry. In the minister’s opinion, time is needed to get everything properly organized and running like clockwork.
“I don’t think we will be able to do without it. Because traceability of goods is also about the safety of our population. It prevents the sale of unaccounted-for, counterfeit goods. This also requires a lot of work,” Artur Karpovich emphasized.
Answering a question from a BelTA correspondent on how the head of state’s instruction to simplify digitalization in trade will be implemented, the minister expressed confidence that the relevant instruction would reach the Ministry of Tax and Duties. “Experienced people will set all the priorities and choose the optimal option,” he concluded.
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