5 September 2008
Russian businesses alarmed by markup ceiling on importers’ prices in Belarus

Russian businesspeople are alarmed by the Belarusian government’s move to impose a 30-percent ceiling on markups on the prices of imported goods, Aleksey Kiselyov, head of Russia’s trade mission in Belarus, told reporters in Minsk on September 4.

“We are concerned that Russian exports to Belarus may fall as a result of this decision,” he said. “We are closely studying all materials presented by Belarus’ business community and I must stress that these materials are absolutely correct and aimed at preserving economic stability in Belarus.”

Belarus currently has an $8-billion deficit in trade with Russia, according to Mr. Kiselyov.

Speaking at the news conference, Uladzimir Karahin, chairman of the Minsk Capital Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers, noted that many more foreign diplomatic missions were alarmed by the Belarusian government’s directive. “The embassies are concerned about the adoption of the rule in Belarus. They ask us whether they should recommend their companies to continue operating, suspend operations, introduce some changes or prepare appropriate measures,” he noted. //BelaPAN