English

Sole entrepreneurs demand meetings with top government officials

Sole entrepreneurs demand meetings with a number of ministers and other top government officials as they want solutions to growing problems, says a statement issued by the Coordinating Council of Entrepreneurs.

As Alyaksandr Makayew, leader of the Coordinating Council of Minsk Entrepreneurs, told BelaPAN, lyaksandr Lukashenka’s edict No. 703 allows sole entrepreneurs importing third-country goods from Russia to continue paying a fixed amount in value-added tax but will cause a number of problems.

“The authorities so far have not created acceptable conditions for entrepreneurs’ operation,” Mr. Makayew said, adding that the government had not simplified paperwork, accounting, licensing and hygiene requirements for sole entrepreneurs.

Small business owners with sole entrepreneur status will face a sharp increase in taxes and retail space rent within the next few months, which will make their operation unprofitable, the activist noted. “We will have to start concealing proceeds,” he warned.

Sole entrepreneurs want meetings with Tax Minister Hanna Deyko, Trade Minister Alyaksandr Ivankow, Finance Minister Andrey Kharkavets, Economy Minister Mikalay Zaychanka, Health Minister Vasil Zharko, as well as Alyaksandr Shpilewski, chairman of the State Customs Committee, and Valery Karashkow, chairman of the State Standardization Committee.

The statement will be sent to the Presidential Administration and the Council of Ministers, Mr. Makayew said.
“If entrepreneurs’ problems are not settled, Belarus will face a deeper crisis and entrepreneurs will take to the streets,” he stressed.