17 February 2025, 11:34

Lukashenko wants profound upgrade of business ecosystem

MINSK, 17 February (BelTA) - Belarus needs to modernize its business ecosystem, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with business owners in Minsk on 17 February, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that earlier Belarus adopted such groundbreaking documents as Directive No. 4 and Decree No. 7 and introduced a whole range of simplifications and innovations. “As I know, you welcomed these initiatives that allowed revitalizing entrepreneurship. I just cannot understand what is holding back this sector. I would like you to share your opinion,” the president said. “In recent years, we have made significant progress in developing the business ecosystem: we made it possible to register and close a business online, as you asked; we expanded the scope of application of digital signatures; we updated the law on entrepreneurial activity to allow scaling up a business without unnecessary paperwork. We are ready, if necessary, to make another step in this direction.”

Belarus provides financial support to small and medium-sized businesses whenever possible.

“Any sector requires qualitative modernization. As I am informed, there are some issues in this regard that need to be addressed,” the head of state said.

First, Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed to unnecessary overregulation.

“After two years of the government's work to optimize administrative procedures, their number has been reduced to about a thousand (still a scary figure). Almost 10% relate to the construction industry. We are dealing with this separately and, I think, we will sort it out. The most demanded procedures have not yet gone digital fully,” the head of state noted.

For example, a one-stop system has not been created for such areas as foreign economic activity, real estate transactions, and registration of intellectual property rights. “All this necessitates paperwork,” the president noted.

Secondly, there are gaps in the comprehensive assessment of the regulatory impact of certain legal acts.

“This institution, which we introduced back in 2019, is not working efficiently enough today. Although we agreed that every legal act will be properly reviewed in terms of its real impact (or harm) on the entire economy. Such reviews should carry as much force as the legal assessment of legal acts,” the head of state said.

Thirdly, according to the head of state, decriminalization of economic risks is among the issues that require special attention.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that there are dishonest people among entrepreneurs, as in any other field, and they cast a shadow of mistrust on the entire business community. “But I want to emphasize: the government will not put any artificial barriers because of a few crooks. We should proceed from pragmatism and common sense,” the head of state said.

“I think that we should be guided solely by the interests of our economy. The authorities want private and state-run companies, as well as foreign enterprises, to work for the common good of people and the country,” the president said. “This means that private and state-run companies should have equal terms. We should put them on an equal footing.”

Addressing the participants of the event, the president asked what factors, in their opinion, are holding back the development of the private sector of the economy, what prevents entrepreneurs from significantly ramping up investments, expanding production, creating high-income jobs, especially in the regions. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, it would be unreasonable to create all these jobs in Minsk, because such a high concentration of workers in one city would lead to uncomfortable living conditions.

“I very much count on your active participation and on our frank dialogue,” the head of state said.

Regarding the preparations for the meeting with representatives of private enterprises, the president urged Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko and First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov to focus on the lack of activity on the part of the Council for the Development of Entrepreneurship. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, this council should have gathered, discussed the problems of the private sector and the issues that need to be addressed at the level of the president, and informed the president about them.

Addressing the participants of the meeting, Aleksandr Lukashenko asked them to express their views on the most pressing issues of private business and make proposals on further development of the business ecosystem. “If there are some issues, feel free to voice them," the head of state emphasized. “Because if you will not, others who didn't join us today will definitely ask you why you were afraid to outline a particular problem." The president pointed out that the government should treat representatives of private businesses accordingly. Cases of unfair treatment should not go unnoticed. “You should inform me (it is not difficult to do), and then we will definitely handle it. No one should insult and humble anyone,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president also stressed that businesses have a responsibility to the country and its citizens, particularly with regard to how they use currency funds. "There are some companies, particularly foreign ones, that operate in Belarus. People work hard to earn money for them, but these companies pull this money out of the country," Aleksandr Lukashenko said, asking to stop this practice. "If you want to purchase something abroad, please let's develop a system so that nobody bothers you. But if you are hiding money earned here and transferring it abroad, then what attitude should you expect of you?" the president emphasized.