FEAS Yearbook FEAS Yearbook 2011 | Page 47

FEDERATION OF EURO-ASIAN STOCK EXCHANGES ANNUAL REPORT APRIL 2011 BELARUSIAN CURRENCY AND STOCK EXCHANGE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS Belarus’ Gross Domestic Product Belarus’ Gross Domestic Product grew by 7.6% in 2010 to a total of Br163 trillion. conceptual systemic requirements for all bodies of state governance, public associations and citizens of Belarus: In 2010 Belarus’ industrial output went up 11.3% (the targeted increase was set at 10- 12%) to reach Br161.9 trillion. Belarus’ consumer goods output amounted to Br35.7 trillion, 13.1% up on 2009. The consumer goods output was supposed to go up by 14- 15% in 2010. 1. Ensure the continued development of fair competition between businesses, regardless of ownership. 2. Create conditions for unimpeded entrepreneurship. 3. Eliminate excessive administrative barriers as the governmental bodies and legal entities and citizens interact. 4. Complete the harmonization of the Belarus taxation system with those operating in the European countries. Make the tax legislation encourage the bona fide exercise of tax obligations and entrepreneurial initiative. 5. Make the controls (supervisory activities) precautionary dominated by preventive measures employed to prevent crimes in the business activities. 6. Improve infrastructure and funding of small businesses to enhance entrepreneurship and ensure efficient support of business (legal, logistical and financial). 7. Eliminate excessive regulations in the labor market. 8. Create a legal base encouraging the development of public-private partnerships in the Republic of Belarus. 9. Ensure unambiguous legal regulations and stable legislation regulating entrepreneurship. In 2010 investments grew by 16.6% to reach Br54.2 trillion. Refinancing Rate of the National Bank is 10.5%. Belarus’ foreign debt As of 1 January 2011 Belarus’ foreign debt was $9.7 billion. The domestic debt was about Br 32 trillion. Foreign public debt indicators show that Belarus belongs to a group of countries with a low debt level (according to standards recommended by IBRD) On the Development of Entrepreneurial Initiative and Encouraging Business Activity in the Republic of Belarus Directive On 31 December 2010 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed Directive No. 4 “On the Development of Entrepreneurial Initiative and Encouraging Business Activity in the Republic of Belarus”. In essence, that is a program of measures aimed to liberalize entrepreneurial initiative, create conditions for a robust and vibrant growth of the Belarusian state. The profound and systemic steps provided by the Directive make it the most important legal act streamlining economic liberalization among those adopted in the country in the past years. The Directive includes nine sections, each of them comprising a set of concrete measures to boost economic competitiveness, lift groundless barriers still rife in the business environment. The sections are entitled as The state policy of the Republic of Belarus The main principles our state policy is guided by are plan-based approach, consistency, gradualness, and continuity. The plan-based state policy results in a stage- by-stage improvement of the people’s living standards. The Belarusian model of socio-economic development aims to improve the existing economic basis and combines the advantages of market economy and efficient social protection. Belarus is not only a highly developed industrial country but it also has a considerable agrarian component. Strong and efficient state power, political stability in our country are the essential conditions for a policy line geared towards evolutionary and progressive development of the national economy, towards further integration into the world’s economy. The consistent state policy aims at developing integration processes between Belarus and CIS countries and other states of world community. In the sphere of culture and public life the state supports historically developed bilingual policy, revival of spirituality and preservation of traditional religious confessions, arts in all forms. The state follows the consistent policy on preservation of cultural heritage of Belarusians, the best Belarusian character features such as respect for people of other nationalities and faiths, patience, tolerance, humanism, peacefulness. Presidential elections 2010 Alexander Lukashenko won the presidential election in Belarus that took place on December 19, 2010 with 79.67%. 5 130 557 votes out of 6 444 776 were submitted for Alexander Lukashenko's nominee that made 90.65%. The inauguration ceremony of newly elected President of the Republic of Belarus was held on January 21, 2011 where Alexander Lukashenko declared that Belarus will continue realisation of the multivector foreign policy based on a priority of national interests, and also Union State building, strengthening of integration communications within the limits of Uniform economic space, EvrAzES, the CIS, and other transnational formations. He underlined that ‘we will achieve as much as possible cooperation good results as with Russia, Ukraine, China, Venezuela, other our strategic partners, and the European Union, the USA and all states of the world community’. Information obtained from the Exchange. Key Information Contacts Official Website of Belarus www.belarus.by/en/ President of Belarus www.president.gov.by/en/ Ministry of Economy www.economy.gov.by/en/ Ministry of Foreign Affaires www.mfa.gov.by/eng / National Investment Agency www.invest.belarus.by/en/ Belarusian Telegraph Agency (National Source of News) www.belta.by/en/ PAGE 45