Business news

30 Apr 2021

PM: Belarus against barriers to free movement of goods, services

MINSK, 30 April (BelTA) - Belarus is in favor of prompt implementation of a set of measures to remove all barriers and reduce exemptions and restrictions to free movement of goods, services, capital and labor, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, BelTA has learned.

“In accordance with a resolution of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on 5 April this year, the EEC Council approved a plan of measures to implement the strategic guidelines of Eurasian economic integration until 2025. Belarus is in favor of prompt implementation of a set of measures to remove all barriers and reduce as much as possible the number of exemptions and restrictions to free movement of goods, services, capital and labor," Roman Golovchenko said.

"We welcome the initiative to create a digital space, digital infrastructure and ecosystem in the EAEU. We support other activities described in this document. Implementation of the strategy will ensure the rapid development of the economies of our states," the head of government said.

According to Roman Golovchenko, raising competitiveness will help increase the EAEU's presence and role in global trade and economy. “We suggest we wast no time and roll out this plan of measures. We would like to ask the EEC Board to oversee the execution of this plan,” he stressed.

The Belarusian prime minister hailed Russia's success in developing vaccines against the coronavirus. “Even some Western countries, despite their attitude, order the Russian vaccines, which speaks volumes,” Roman Golovchenko noted.

He thanked Russia for prompt supplies of the COVID-19 shots to Belarus and for assistance with launching its production. “The fight against the pandemic has shown the effectiveness of joint efforts and advantages of collective measures to ensure economic stability amid the coronavirus,” the PM said.

Mass vaccination is in full swing and countries have reported a decline in new cases, which allows hoping for a speedy rebound of economies of the EAEU member states, Roman Golovchenko pointed out. “With this in mind, I urge my colleagues to mull over stepping up efforts to resume passenger traffic in the EAEU, which will also stimulate economic activity,” he stressed.

“We have faced external challenges and internal issues. This is a natural process. Most importantly, we should be willing to address the burning issues together, without concealing or ignoring them. We have been learning to align the interests of the union and every member state. This will help us achieve the desired results,” Roman Golovchenko believes.