Directive № 4 "On the development of entrepreneurship and stimulating business activity in Belarus" can be implemented in practice not earlier than in a year and a half. Telegraf was informed on the subject by the Director of "Elains Group" law firm Vladimir Nesmashnyi. "Meanwhile one needs to work and obey the law regardless of what is written in the directive," he said.
According to the expert, the directive, as a legislative act, is not an act in law enforcement sense; it only defines the direction of law-making and government economic policies. In itself, it «neither changes the existing regulations, nor establishes rules to be applied by business entities.» In addition, the directive does not define any specific timeframe for the implementation of those innovations, it announces,» Vladimir Nesmashnyi said.
«At the moment, an order is only given to state agencies to develop a system of measures and timetables for implementing the directive, therefore, the period for the legal fulfillment of the directive is currently unknown,» the expert said.
According to him, the implementation of the directive requires changes in both the orders and decrees of the President, the decision of the Council of Ministers and the laws. «Let’s underline again — nothing has changed in the law for the moment, all existing restrictions are maintained, the certificates have not been repealed, the restrictions on entrepreneurs’ staff employment have remained in force, the dates of scheduled inspections and the possibility of verification measures by the state authorized bodies have remained unchanged,» the lawyer said.
Vladimir Nesmashnyi also stressed that «in spite of the progressive provisions of the directive, it’s likely to be caused by already-overdue need to adjust economic policy, rather than a revolution in the state’s attitude to business.»
«In light of the above mentioned fact, one can deduce the general opinion of the directive — «Honey is sweet — hope the bee won’t sting.» We will wait for a detailed plan and terms,» the head of Elains Group concluded.
According to Telegraf, the president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed Directive № 4 on December 31 «On the development of entrepreneurship and stimulating business activity in Belarus.» As stated in the press service of the president, the document aims at «further liberalization of the economy, the liberation of business initiative and creativity of citizens.»
