Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 November (BelTA) – The draft ordinance on digital economy is waiting for the head of state’s approval, BelTA learned from Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration Valery Mitskevich before the conference held on 24 November to discuss the effect of law enforcement practice on entrepreneurship development in Belarus.

The official said: “It is difficult to say when the head of state will make the decision [to sign the digital economy ordinance or not] but the document has been prepared and is now pending approval. In other words, its readiness is very high.” Valery Mitskevich said that the draft ordinance represents a collective effort on the part of a large number of specialists, including representatives of IT companies and lawyers.

The deputy head of the Belarus President Administration reminded that the key document in the package of regulations designed to facilitate private business operation in Belarus was signed on 23 November. “Some of the norms of the Entrepreneurship Development Ordinance came into force as of the publication date. Some of the norms will come into force in three months and then some will come into force next week. Since the head of state has taken unprecedented measures to encourage private business development with this ordinance, some time is needed for preparations and understanding,” he noted.

Valery Mitskevich pointed out that all the other regulations, legal acts, and laws will have an effect only in the parts that do not contradict the ordinance. “It is a very comprehensive document. Not a simple one. We’ve tried to present it in a convenient way for those, who do business, and those, who oversee the operation of private businesses. It seems to me we’ve achieved our goal because some norms are stipulated in categorical and concrete terms to make it clear that things must be done this way. I think the private sector is inspired by this document and will show growth,” he stated.

The 12^th conference to discuss the effect of law enforcement practice on entrepreneurship development in Belarus took place on 24 November. The key items on the agenda included the liberalization of administrative responsibility, unwarranted risks facing commercial entities in the course of fight against shady business practices, and the enforcement of subsidiary responsibility for collecting debts of bankrupt companies.

The conference was organized by the Supreme Court, the National Legislation and Legal Research Center, the public association Belarusian Republican Union of Lawyers with assistance of the legal information database distribution company OOO YurSpektr.