RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/ACC/BLR/7
19December 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5540)
Original: English Working Party ontheAccession ofBelarus
ACCESSION OFBELARUS
Additional Questions andReplies
ThePermanent Mission ofBelarus hassubmitted answers toadditional questions ontheforeign
trade regime oftheRepublic ofBelarus submitted bymembers afterthefirstmeeting oftheWorking
Party. Members willbeinformed assoonasthedocuments mentioned inthereplies areavailable
intheSecretariat forconsultation.
Delegations wishing toraiseadditional questions concerning theforeign traderegime ofBelarus
might inform thedelegation ofBelarus (with acopytotheSecretariat) ofsuchquestions inadvance
ofthenextmeeting oftheWorking Party, sothatconsidered replies canbemade available byBelarus
toMembers atthetimeoftheWorking Party meeting.
_______________
TABLE OFCONTENTS
Question Page
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN
TRADE
1. Economy
(b) Current economic situation 1-2 1
2. Economic Policies
(a) Main directions 3-13 1
(c) Foreign exchange andpayments system 14-18 7
(d) Foreign anddomestic investment policies 19-20 8
(e) Competition policies 21 9
3. Foreign Trade inGoods andServices 22 10
4. Domestic Trade inServices 25-26 10
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING
POLICIES AFFECTING FOREIGN TRADE INGOODS
AND TRADE INSERVICES
1. Powers ofExecutive, Legislative andJudicial Branches 27 11WT/ACC/BLR/7
Pageii
Question Page
2. Government Entities Responsible forMaking andImplementing
Policies Affecting Foreign Trade28 12
6. Description ofJudicial Arbitral orAdministrative Tribunals or
Procedures29 13
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE INGOODS
1. Import Regulation
(a) Registration requirements 30 14
(b) Characteristics ofnational tariff 31-37 14
(c) Tariff quotas, tariff exemptions 38-39 16
(d) Other duties andcharges 40-44 18
(e) Quantitative import restrictions 45-47 19
(f) Import licensing procedure 48-53 20
(h) Customs valuation 54-60 22
(j) Pre-shipment inspection 61-62 26
(k) Application ofinternal taxes onimports 63-70 28
(l) Rules oforigin 71-72 31
(m) Anti-dumping, countervailing dutyandsafeguard régime 73-78 32
2. Export Regulation
(b) Customs tariff nomenclature, types ofduties, dutyrates 79-80 34
(c) Quantitative export restrictions 81-87 34
(d) Export licensing procedures 88-90 36
(f) Export financing, subsidy andpromotion policies 90-94 38
3. Internal Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inGoods
(a) Industrial andsubsidy policies 95-107 40
(b) Technical barriers totrade 108-124 47
(c) Sanitary andphytosanitary measures 125-139 54
(d) Trade-related investment measures 140 58
(e) State-trading practices 141-143 59
(g) Freeeconomic zones 144-151 60
(k) Trade agreements leading tocountry-specific quotas allocation 152-159 63
(l) Government procurement 160-167 65
(m) Regulations oftrade intransit 168-170 68
4. Agriculture 171-184 69
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME
1. General
(a) Intellectual property policy 185-187 74WT/ACC/BLR/7
Pageiii
Question Page
(c) Membership ofinternational intellectual property conventions 188-189 76
(e) Feesandtaxes 190-191 77
2. Substantive Standards ofProtection
(a) Copyright andrelated rights 192 77
(c) Geographical indications, including appellations oforigin 193 78
(f) Plant variety protection 194 78
(g) Layout designs ofintegrated circuits 195 79
(h) Requirements onundisclosed information 196 79
4. Enforcement
(b) Provisional measures; administrative procedures and
remedies; special border measures197-198 79
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES RÉGIME
1. General 199-200 80
2. Policies Affecting Trade inServices
(a) Government departments, agencies, professional associations 201-202 80
(c) Qualification requirements andprocedures, licensing and
registration requirements203-206 81
49
(d) Monopolies andexclusive service suppliers 207 83
Limitations onparticipation offoreign capital 208-209 83
Financial services 210-212 84
3. Market Access andNational Treatment 213-214 86
VII. INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR TRADE AND ECONOMIC
RELATIONS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES
1. Bilateral orPlurilateral Agreements Relating toForeign Trade
inGoods andTrade inServices215-218 87
2. Economic Integration, Customs Unions andFree-trade
Agreements219-224 88
Annex 1 Changes intheTrade Regime 91
Annex 2 Balance ofPayments for1993-1996 93WT/ACC/BLR/7
Pageiv
Question Page
Annex 3 ListofGoods ofWhich Export isCarried OutUnder
Licenses oftheMinistry ofForeign Economic
Relations Issued Within Limits ofVolumes ofthe
Established Quotas
ListofGoods ofWhich Import isCarried OutUnder
Licenses oftheMinistry ofForeign Economic
Relations
ListofGoods Produced inBelarus ofWhich Export
isProhibited95
97
97
Annex 4 Utilization ofQuantitative Limits Established on
Export ofTextile Products toECCountries98
Appendix 1Information ontheUtilization of
Quantitative Limits forExport of
Textile Products toECCountries
Carried OutWithin theFramework of
theAgreement onTrade inTextile
Products99
Appendix 2Utilization ofQuantitative Limits on
Export orTextile Products toEC
Countries forTenMonths of1997 in
Comparison With theAppropriate
Period of1996, Value Terms100
Annex 5 ListofPests, Plant Illness andWeeds thatarein
Quarantine intheRepublic ofBelarus101
Annex 6 ListofResidents oftheFreeEconomic Zone "Brest" 102
Annex 7 Intellectual Property Regime 104
Annex 8 Information onTechnical Barriers toTrade 107WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page1
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE
II.1 Economy
II.1(b) Current economic situation
Question 1:
Have transport tariffs been definitively liberalized? What isthepresent situation asregards
subsidies totransport services? (WT/ACC/BLR/2, Question 6)
Answer:
Tariffs havebeencompletely liberalised onthecarriage ofcargo byautomobile transport
andthecarriage ofpassengers andcargo byriver transport facilities.
Subsidies from theState budget areprovided forcovering losses from thecarriage of
passengers byautomobile transport facilities onsuburban linesaswellasbyurban public transport
facilities. Stateregulation ispreserved inrelation totariffs fortransportation ofpassengers, cargo and
luggage byrailway transport, forservices ofpostal andelectric communications aswellasforthe
payment ofliving accommodations andcommunal services bythepopulation.
Question 2:
According totheresponse toQuestion 6ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, theGovernment ofBelarus hasno
plans tointroduce market prices forrental andcommunal services. What items, other thanheating,
rents andpublic transport, areconsidered rental andcommunal services subject toregulated
prices?
Answer:
Theprices andtariffs forcommunal services which aresubject toregulation alsoinclude
provision tothepopulation ofelectricity, services onwater supply, sewerage, gassupply, hot-water
supply andgarbage collection anddisposal. TheGovernment continues toregulate tariffs forcommunal
services, gasandelectricity paidbythepopulation. In1997, itisenvisaged togradually liquidate the
cross subsidising andthereduction ofbudgetary subsidies inthissphere. Toreach thisaim,the
Government increased by10percenttariffs forcommunal services on1January and1April 1997
andwillcontinue toconstantly andgradually increase thetariffs during thesecond halfof1997 so
astoreach 46percentincrease inrealexpression.
II.2 Economic Policies
II.2(a) Main directions
Question 3:
Inreviewing theresponses contained inWT/ACC/BLR/2, itappears thattheRepublic ofBelarus
hasmade aconsiderable number ofchanges toitstrade regime since thesubmission ofits
Memorandum ontheForeign Trade Regime inJanuary 1996. Please provide asummary ofthe
major changes totheforeign trade regime thathavetaken place since thattime. Alsoplease listWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page2
anddescribe themajor trade items thattheGovernment ofBelarus intends toenact orotherwise
implement bytheendof1997.
Answer:
SeeAnnex 1.
Question 4:
Itisourunderstanding thatBelarus signed amajor political andeconomic co-operation agreement
with Russia inApril 1997. Please provide atranslated copy ofthisagreement totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party anprovide abrief description ofit.How willthis
bilateral agreement withRussia affect theCustoms Union Agreement withRussia andKazakstan?
DoestheGovernment ofBelarus envision theimplementation oftheApril 1997bilateral agreement
withRussia asasteptoward thecreation ofasingle customs territory forRussia andBelarus?
Dotheagreements explicitly provide forthecreation ofasingle customs territory? Please explain
whyBelarusshouldbeconsideredaseparatecustomsterritoryforWTOpurposesgiventheabsence
ofcustoms administration ontheborder with Russia anditsdeepening economic integration
relationship?
Answer:
Seeanswer totheQuestion 219.
Question 5:
Please supply thetextofthemultilateral Free-Trade Area Agreement among allMember States
oftheCIS,theAgreement onaCustoms Union withRussia, Kazakstan andtheKyrgyz Republic
andoftheCharter ofUnion withRussia. Please indicate theprovisions laying down howdecisions
willbetaken inpursuance ofthese Agreements.
Answer:
Thedocuments willbesubmitted totheWTO Secretariat.
Seealsoanswer totheQuestion 219.
Question 6:
According totheMemorandum, preferential credit from theNational Bank tothegovernment
andenterprises hasbeencurtailed substantially. Please identify thegovernmental agencies that
arerecipients ofpreferential credit, thepurposes ofthepreferential credit andtheamounts of
preferential credit provided. Please identify thefiveindustrial sectors thatreceive thelargest
amounts ofpreferential credit from theNational Bank. What arethepurposes ofthepreferential
credits andtheamounts provided?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page3
Answer:
Inthefirsthalfof1997theNational BankoftheRepublic ofBelarus proved privileged credits
tobanks thatareauthorized toservice theGovernment programs (JSCB "Belagroprombank", JSCB
"Belpromstroybank",JSCM"Belarusbank",JSCB"Belbusinessbank",JSC"Priorbank")forthefollowing
purposes:
- theperformance ofspring fieldwork according toDecree No.148ofthePresident ofthe
RepublicofBelarusdated11November1997"OnPreparationtoSpringFieldWorkin1997"
intheamount of1751.4 billion roubles;
- theconstruction ofapartments forliving according toDecrees ofthePresident oftheRepublic
ofBelarus intheamount of2274.1 billion roubles;
- thecompensation ofdeposits ofthepopulation inaccordance withDecrees ofthePresident
oftheRepublic ofBelarus No.168dated 8May1996andNo.536dated 12December 1996
intheamount of67.7billion roubles;
- thesupplementing ofcurrent funds ofthepork-production enterprises inaccordance with
theRepublican Programme intheamount of406.3 billion roubles.
Inthecurrent year, theNational Bank hasnotprovided preferential credits totheindustry.
Question 7:
Theanswer toquestion 32(WT/ACC/BLR/2) states thatthere arenocustoms controls onthe
border between Belarus andRussia. How thencanBelarus ensure thatitstrade policies are
correctly implemented?
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion No.219.
Question 8:
Itisstated that"allenterprises havebeenmade independent fromthegovernment" (Memorandum,
page6).What exactly doesthismean? Who appoints themanagement ofenterprises? Where do
enterprises obtain thecapital necessary toruntheir businesses?
Answer:
Thephrase "allenterprises havebecome independent oftheGovernment" implies thatall
enterprises carry ontheir economic activities onthebasis ofcommercial considerations without
interference bytheGovernment.
Atthesametime, inaccordance withArticle 7oftheConstitution oftheRepublic ofBelarus
theGovernment actsonbehalf oftheowner inrelation totheproperty thatisproperty oftheRepublic
ofBelarus andorganises management oftheState property.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page4
Asregards questions ofappointment ofenterprise managers andwhere theenterprises take
capital fororganisation oftheiractivities, inaccordance withArticles 45and35oftheLaw"On
Enterprises intheRepublic ofBelarus" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1), hiring (appointment, election) of
theenterprise manager istherightoftheowner oftheenterprise ’property andiscarried outbyhim
directly orthrough bodies authorized byhimorthrough enterprise Board orother bodies thathave
beendelegated theenterprise management rights.
Sources fortheformation oftheenterprise ’sproperty are:
- pecuniary andmaterial contribution ofthefounders;
- revenues fromsaleofproducts andservices aswellasfromotherkinds ofeconomic activities;
- revenues from securities;
- bankcredits andother credits;
- capital investments andsubsidies from thebudget;
- gratuitous orcharity contributions, anddonations oforganisations, enterprises andphysical
persons.
Question 9:
Please explain inmore detail thedifferent stages ofprivatization referred toinSection IV,3(a)
onpage 9,oftheMemorandum:
(i)formation ofjoint stock companies;
(ii)acquisition ofshares byprivate investors.
Answer:
(i) Organisation ofjoint-stock companies intheprocess ofreformation oftheState property
isthetransformation ofStateenterprises intojoint-stock companies. Atthisstage, allpreparatory work
ontheestablishment ofajoint-stock company isdone, i.e.submission oftheproposal onthe
establishmentofthejoint-stockcompany,organizationofthecommissionattheenterpriseonpreparation
offoundation documents, determination oftheauthorized fundofthecompany, etc.,andfinally, taking
ofthedecision ontheestablishment ofthejoint-stock company bytheprivatisation bodies orlocal
bodies ofgovernment (depending ontheenterprise tobetransformed).
(ii) Acquisition ofshares byprivate investors istheprocess ofprivatization itselfduring which
shares ofthejoint-stock company aretransferred toprivate investors forpossession anddisposal. Sale
ofshares ofjoint-stock companies toprivate investors iscarried onintwostages. Atthefirststage
(during fivemonths fromthetimetheopenjoint-stock company iscreated), shares aresoldforcash
andexchanged forpersonal privatisation vouchers "Property" oftheemployees. Atthesecond stage,
theremaining shares aresubmitted forsaleatauctions andtenders toother investors including physical
persons.
Question 10:
Please provide anupdate ofprogress inprivatization, giving statistics forthepercentage ofGDP
accounted forby:
(i) enterprises wholly owned bythegovernment;
(ii) enterprises inwhich thegovernment holds 51percentormore ofshares;
(iii) enterprises inwhich thegovernment holds 25percentormore ofshares.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page5
Answer:
Information ontheprogress ofdestatization andprivatisation ofStateproperty intheRepublic
ofBelarus over1991 toJune1997:
Years
1991- 1995 1996 January -June 1991- Jan.
1997
Republican/
communaltotal Republican
/communaltotal Republican/
communaltotal Republican/
communaltotal
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Number of
enterprises
privatised428
11671595 136
390526 147
161308 711
17182429
Bymethods:
1.Buy-out of
leased property102
223325 5
5358 1
2425 108
300408
2.Buy-out of
State property by
theemployees25
112137 -- -- -- -- 25
112137
3.Transformation
intotheJSC278
277555 92
129221 97
33130 467
439906
4.Salethrough
tender16
226242 0
4242 0
1616 16
284300
5.Salethrough
auction7
329336 0
166166 0
8888 7
583590
Calculation oftheGDP inpercentforenterprises with different shares ofState
property isnotmade inBelarus. Thegross domestic product iscalculated according totheforms of
property: State(governmental), private, collective, mixed andforeign. Enterprises andorganisations
withtheState form ofproperty account for60percentoftheGDP.
Question 11:
Please givedetails ofallitems stillsubject toprice controls andthenature ofthese controls.
Answer:
TheState regulation ofprices (tariffs) iseffected mainly inrelation toproducts (services)
ofenterprises, inparticular foroilofthedomestic mining andpetroleum products manufactured from
thispetroleum,naturalandliquefiedgas,electricandthermalenergy;mineralfertilisers,preciousmetals,
white vodka andalcohol, other alcoholic products (minimum prices), formass-scale defence products,
mostimportant medicinal drugs andother medical products aswellascertain kinds ofexport products
(indicative prices). Stateregulation ispreserved inrelation totariffs fortransportation ofpassengers,
cargo andluggage byrailway transport, forservices ofpostal andelectric communications aswell
asforthepayment ofliving accommodations andcommunal services bythepopulation.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page6
Local bodies ofexecutive power regulate prices andmaximum trade margins forcertain
socially important goods andservices forlocalconsumption (mass-grade bread, milkandsourmilk
products, children ’sfoodstuff andgoods forchildren); tariffs forthermal energy, fortransportation
ofpassengers bycitygeneral-use transport facilities (except fortaxi), prices onsolidfuelandwoods
forthepopulation, communal services forthepopulation -water supply, sewerage, heating, hot-water
supply aswellasextra charges onpublic catering products.
Question 12:
Aretheminimum prices thatstillexistinBelarus setexclusively foralcoholic drinks andspirits?
(WT/ACC/BLR/2, Question 12)
Answer:
Yes,there are:onimported products -theminimum prices, ondifferent kinds ofvodka
ofdomestic production, depending onthekindofvodka -theminimum prices orfixed prices.
Question 13:
According totheresponse toQuestion 12ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, theGovernment ofBelarus sets
minimum prices forimported alcoholic beverages, based oncurrent prices ofanalogous beverages
produced intheRepublic ofBelarus. Areimported spirits subject tobothminimum import prices
andregulated retail prices? HowdoestheGovernment ofBelarus intend toeliminate theminimum
import prices onalcoholic beverages inaccordance withthenational treatment requirements of
GATT Article III.4?
Answer:
ThePrice Committee oftheMinistry ofEconomy introduced on12March 1996theselling
prices forimported alcoholic products realised ontheterritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus thelevel
ofwhich varied afterthatdate.
Retail prices forimported alcoholic products soldontheterritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus
areregulated through theestablishment oftheminimum selling prices andtheminimum trademargin
intheamount of30percentoftheprice formed bytheentity whohavepurchased goods outside the
Republic. Onimport vodka theprice isformed onthebasis ofcontract price pluscustom duty, VAT
andexcise tax.
Theminimum selling price includes onlythesumofobligatory taxes stipulated forimport
ofalcoholic production (custom duty, VAT andexcise tax).Itdoesnotinclude contract price and
importer ’sprofit andother costs.
Onwhite vodka ofdomestic production fixed retail prices areestablished. Their level is
formed onthebasis ofindustrial costs plustheamount ofprofit plusVAT andexcise taxattherate
of80percent.
Themaximal margin ofretail price isnotestablished.
Establishment ofminimum andfixed prices isaimed attheprotection ofhuman health.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page7
II.2(c) Foreign exchange andpayments systems
Question 14:
TheRepublic ofBelarus appears tohave ahistory ofbalance ofpayments difficulties. What is
thecurrent amount offoreign reserves. Please provide abalance ofpayments schedule forthe
lastfouryears.
Answer:
Balances ofpayment oftheBelarus areannexed (seeAnnex 2).
Question 15:
Please provide translated copies ofRegulations oftheNational Bank No.768oflAugust 1996
andNo.790of7October 1996, explaining theforeign exchange regime, totheSecretariat for
review bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
These documents willbesubmitted totheWTO Secretariat.
Question 16:
Please provide atranslated copyofPresidential Decree No.236of28July1996, which requires
exporters tosell50percentofforeign currency deposits attheinter-bank foreign exchange. Is
theGovernment ofBelarus imposing thisrestriction inorder tosatisfy arequirement established
bytheInternational Monetary Fund.
Answer:
On2June1997, Decree No.311ofthePresident oftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnFurther
Regulation oftheProcedure ofMandatory SaleofForeign Currency" wassigned which established
thatlegalpersons andentrepreneurs without theformation ofthelegalperson mustsellattheInter-Bank
Currency Exchange 30percentoffunds infreely convertible currency andinRussian roubles within
fivedaysfrom thedaythese funds aretransferred totheaccounts inBelorussian orforeign banks.
Decree No.236dated July1996, 1996 isnullandvoid. Decree ofthePresident oftheRepublic of
Belarus No.311dated 2June1997 willbesubmitted totheWTO Secretariat.
Question 17:
Does Belarus plantoaccept IMF, Article VIIIobligations?
Answer:
Yes,thework isbeing doneinthisdirection.
Question 18:
Does Belarus intend inthemedium term toassume theobligations laiddown inArticle VIIIof
theIMFArticles ofAgreement? (WT/ACC/BLR/2, Question 19)WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page8
Answer:
Yes,thisissue isbeing worked upon atpresent.
II.2(d) Foreign anddomestic investment policies
Question 19:
According totheMemorandum, foreign investment mayeither taketheform ofJoint Ventures
withBelorussian partner, orofwholly foreign-owned enterprises. Areforeign individuals allowed
toinvest inBelarus without adomestic partner? Areforeign enterprises allowed toopenbranches
inBelarus, without having tocreate Belorussian subsidiaries?
Answer:
Yes,withsomeexceptions,particularlyinsomeservicessectors(SeeanswertoQuestion212).
Foreign enterprises areallowed toopen branches inBelarus without having tocreate
Belorussian subsidiaries.
Question 20:
According totheresponse toQuestion 28ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, special licensing requirements apply
todealership ingovernment securities oftheRepublic ofBelarus. Please describe thespecial
licensing requirements indetail?
Answer:
Toobtain alicense, theapplicant shallsubmit totheCommittee onSecurities apackage
ofdocuments thatmust include thefollowing data:
- onthekinds ofprofessional activities onsecurities;
- onmaterial liability oftheprofessional participant fortheviolation ofthelegislation on
security;
- anindication tothecarrying ofprofessional orexchange activities onsecurities asexclusive
activity;
- ontheliability ofthelegalperson toreport, within threedays, about achange ofhisdomicile
address totheregistration body, thetaxinspection andtheCommittee onSecurities.
Legal persons registered outside theRepublic ofBelarus butwhocarry ontheiractivities
infullorinpartonitsterritory shallsubmit copies ofnotarially certified documents thatcorrespond
tothecategory offoundation documents according tothelegislation oftherespective states ortheplace
ofregistration:
- copies ofqualification certificates fortherighttoexecute operations withsecurities issued
tothemanager (except banks) aswellastotheemployees oftheapplicant whoareauthorized
tosigndocuments connected withtheexecution ofoperations onthesecurities market;
- acopyofthepayment order thatconfirms thepayment forthelicense;
- documents confirming theactual formation oftheauthorized fund:
- signed bythemanager andsealed:WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page9
(i)thelistofalllegal persons inwhich theapplicant hasmore than5percentofthe
authorized fund(specifying hisshare inpercent), theirlegal status, fullname and
domicile;
(ii)thelistofallsubsidiaries andrepresentations oftheapplicant including theircomplete
name, thedateofopening, postandlegaladdresses;
- acopyofthecertificate ontheregistration ofshares (forjoint-stock companies).
II.2(e) Competition policies
Question 21:
Please giveaprogress report onthedevelopment ofanactive competition policy.
Answer:
IntheRepublicofBelarus,theProgrammeofDemonopolizationfor1996-1997wasdeveloped
thatdefined themaindirections andprovisions onanti-monopoly policy fortheseyears andisdesigned
fortheorganisation ofthework ofministries, departments, localexecutive andadministrative bodies
ondemonopolization oftheeconomy andthedevelopment ofcompetition.
Commerce andpublic catering havebeendefined asoneofthepriority sectors oftheeconomy
inrespectofdemonopolization.Thedecisionstakeninthecountryonthereformationofpropertyallowed
toreform anddemonopolized themajority oflargecommercial entities thatoperated onlocalmarkets.
Overtheperiod of1992to1995, outoftheproperty owned by128State-owned entities, 1.2thousand
autonomous entities were established.
Asaresult ofdemonopolization carried onin1996 32entities inthecommerce outof55
entities thatdominated themarket atthebeginning oftheyearlosttheirmonopoly position. Oftheir
number, 304structural entities andsmall enterprises were formed.
TheMain Guidelines ofsocial andeconomic development oftheRepublic ofBelarus for
1996-2000 stipulate series ofmeasures onfurther demonopolisation andstimulation oftheorganisation
ofcompeting firms inthesphere ofwholesale andretail trade, including:
- thesubdivision oftradeentities through organising ontheirbasisofsmaller structural entities
(enterprises);
- theformation ofanetwork ofsmall catering enterprises including fast-service system;
- thedevelopment ofmarket-oriented forms ofwholesale trade attherepublican andlocal
levels.
Demonopolisationmeasuresintheindustryincludeawideuseoftherestructuringofeconomic
monopolistic subjects and,firstofallthrough theprocess oftheirsubdivision intosmaller ones. In
1996, enterprises ofthenon-governmental form ofproperty manufactured 32.8percentofthetotal
volume ofindustrial products. Themarket ofconstruction, consumer goods, wood, wood-working,
paper andpaper-pulp, porcelain andfaience industries aredominated bysmall andmedium enterprises
operating inacompetition environment.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page10
II.3 Foreign Trade inGoods andServices
Question 22:
According totheresponse toQuestion 32ofWT/ACC/BLR/2 ,inpractice there arenocustoms
controls ontheborder between Belarus andRussia. HowwilltheRepublic ofBelarus administer
itsWTO obligations inareas other thantariffs ifthere arenocustoms controls ontheborder
withRussia?
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 219.
II.3 Foreign Trade inGoods andServices
Question 23:
When doesBelarus plantosubmit aninitial offer intheareas ofgoods andservices?
Answer:
These initial offers willbesubmitted atanappropriate moment forthebeginning ofbilateral
negotiations.
Question 24:
Canoneassume thatitishighly likely thatinthemedium term market access forBelarus will
benegotiated jointly withtheRussian Federation? (WT/ACC/BLR/2, Questions 3and207)
Answer:
Ithasalready beenstated thatboththeRepublic ofBelarus andtheRussian Federation would
conduct theiraccession totheWTO onanindividual basis. (See alsoanswer 3WT/ACC/BLR/2).
II.4 Domestic Trade inServices
Question 25:
What istherationale forthethree-tier payment system described intheresponse toQuestion 34
ofWT/ACC/BLR/2. Wasthethree-tier payments system instituted pursuant toanagreement
withtheInternational Monetary Fund?
Answer:
Athree-level system ofpayment isrequired duetothefollowing reasons:
- thedisintegration oftheSoviet Union andtheintroduction ofnational currencies bytheStates
oftheformer USSR;
- thepresence ofclose economic relations among subjects oftheRepublic ofBelarus andthe
States oftheformer USSR andtheneedforpayment settlements between them, taking into
account thefactthatthenewnational currencies arenon-convertible.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page11
TheNational Bank oftheRepublic ofBelarus hasnotofficially agreed withtheInternational
MonetaryFund(IMF)theissueofintroductionofthethree-levelsystemofpaymentsettlement.However
missions oftheIMFhavebeenfrequently informed ofthecondition ofpayment settlements andcurrency
ofpayment.
Question 26:
According totheresponse toQuestion 34ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, payments between economic agents
must becarried out"through correspondent amounts ofcommercial banks" ineither Belorussian
roubles, national currencies ofCISandBaltic countries, orfreely convertible currencies. Are
there limitations ontheability offoreign financial institutions toestablish correspondent accounts?
How doauthorities decide which commercial banks areauthorized tosetupcorrespondent
accounts?
Answer:
Toopenaccounts inthebanks oftherepublic ofBelarus, non-residents mustsubmit relevant
documents thelistofwhich isdefined intheRegulation oftheNational BankoftheRepublic ofBelarus
ontheprocedure ofopening inbanks ofpayment (current) accounts andother accounts. Inaddition
totheabove documents, anon-resident bankmustsubmit alicense which approves theassent ofCentral
Bank ofitsState foropening oftheaccount iftherequirement ontheavailability ofsuchlicense by
thebankisspecified intheagreement ontheorganisation ofpayment settlements made between the
National Bank oftheRepublic ofBelarus andtheCentral Bank oftherelevant state. There areno
limitations ontheability offoreign financial institutions toestablish correspondent accounts
Theright toestablishment ofcorrespondent relations withforeign banks andopening of
correspondent accounts isgiven totheauthorized banks oftheRepublic ofBelarus thatobtained the
General License oftheNational Bank fortherighttocarry onoperations inforeign currency which
isissued iftheypossess theirowncapital intheamount equal toonemillion ECU aswellason
conditions thattheyobserve other requirements thatdefine thereadiness ofthebank tocarry on
operations inforeign currency.
III. FRAMEWORKFORMAKINGANDENFORCINGPOLICIESAFFECTINGFOREIGN
TRADE INGOODS AND TRADE INSERVICES
III.1 Powers ofExecutive, Legislative andJudicial Branches
Question 27:
Arealladministrative decisions onmatters affecting international trade subject toindependent
judicial review? Please givedetails.
Answer:
Article 559oftheCivil Code oftheRepublic ofBelarus states:
- foreign enterprises andorganisations canwithout anyspecial permit execute intheRepublic
ofBelarustransactionsinforeigntradeandassociatedpayment,insuranceandotheroperations
withentities registered ontheterritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus which aregiven theright
toexecute suchtransactions;WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page12
- civillegalcapacity offoreign enterprises andorganizations when theyexecute transactions
inforeign tradeandassociated payment, insurance andother operations isdefined according
tothelawofthecountry inwhich theenterprise ororganization isfounded.
Article 2oftheEconomic Procedural Code oftheRepublic ofBelarus states thatlegaland
physical persons irrespective oftheirformofproperty andnature ofactivities including foreign ones
whoactinthesphere ofeconomic relations shallbeentitled toapply, according totheestablished
procedure, toeconomic court forprotection oftheirviolated ordisputed rights orinterests protected
bylaw.
Article 15oftheEconomic Procedural Code oftheRepublic ofBelarus regulates jurisdiction
oftheSupreme Economic Court oftheRepublic ofBelarus inrelation todisputes between parties that
areontheterritories ofdifferent States iftheagreement between suchStates, theagreement ofthe
parties orlegislative actsrefer theresolution ofsuchdisputes tothecompetence oftheEconomic
Procedural Code oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Incases when suchagreement doesnotexistdisputes canberesolved bytheInternational
Court ofArbitration ortheChamber ofCommerce andIndustry oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Article 60oftheConstitution oftheRepublic ofBelarus states: everyone isguaranteed the
protection ofhisrights andfreedoms byacompetent, independent andunbiased court within thetime
period defined bylaw.
Article 11oftheCriminal Code oftheRepublic ofBelarus stipulates criminal prosecution
forcrimes inthesphere ofentrepreneurship andother economic activities, including trade activities.
Inanumber ofcases, when offenses donotentail, bytheircharacter, criminal liability an
administrative liability takes place.
Thus, decisions ofadministrative bodies canbeappealed against inasuperior bodyandcourts
ofjustice (economic, international arbitration, orgeneral courts) thedecisions ofwhich maybeappealed
against insuperior courts ofjustice inaccordance withtheestablished procedure.
SeealsoAnswer toQuestion 29.
III.2 GovernmentEntitiesResponsibleforMakingandImplementingPoliciesAffectingForeign
Trade
Question 28:
Pleasedescribethedomesticlegislativeprocessthatwillapplytotheratificationandimplementation
oftheProtocol forWTO accession.
Answer:
TheRepublic ofBelarus makes andfulfils international agreements inaccordance withthe
Constitution oftheRepublic ofBelarus andgenerally recognised standards ofinternational law.
Proceeding from theprinciple ofobligatory fulfilment ofeacheffective agreement forits
members, theRepublic ofBelarus, being participant totheVienna Convention ontheRight of
International Agreements of1969 ,fulfils ingood faithitsinternational commitments.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page13
LawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OntheProcedure ofMaking, Fulfilment andDenunciation
ofInternational Treaties oftheRepublic ofBelarus" dated 23October 1991establishes theprocedure
ofthemaking, fulfilment anddenunciation ofinternational treaties (agreements).
Procedure ofratification ofinternational agreements represents thefollowing process.
Proposals ontheapproval bytheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus of
international agreements shallbesubmitted totheCouncil ofMinisters bytheMinistry ofForeign
Affairs independently oronagreement withother ministries andother State bodies ofGovernment
oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
TheCouncilofMinistersshallconsidersuchagreementsandshallforwardthemforratification
totheNational Assembly oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
III.6 Description ofJudicial Arbitral orAdministrative Tribunals orProcedures
Question 29:
Please describe themake-up oftheeconomic courts. Arethese courts partoftheexecutive branch
oftheGovernment ofBelarus? How many appeals from foreign individuals orentities were
reviewed bytheeconomic courts ineachofthepastthree years? Inhowmany instances didthe
economic courts reverse thedecisions previously taken bytheState bodies?
Answer:
Judicial power intheRepublic ofBelarus belongs, incompliance withtheConstitution of
theRepublic ofBelarus, tocourts ofjustice. Thesystem ofcourts isconstructed ontheprinciples of
territorial administration andspecialisation. Court procedures intheRepublic ofBelarus arespecified
bylaw.
Judges executing justice areindependent andsubordinated onlytolaw.
Courts execute justice onthebasis oftheConstitution andother regulatory actsadopted in
accordance withtheConstitution. Ifthecourt considering thecasecomes totheconclusion thata
regulatory actisindisagreement withtheConstitution, itshallmake decision inaccordance withthe
Constitution andshallpose, intheestablished manner, thequestion onrecognition oftheregulatory
actnon-constitutional.
Control overtheconstitutional character ofregulatory actsintheState shallbeexercised
bytheConstitutional Court oftheRepublic ofBelarus which shall, onproposition ofthePresident
oftheRepublic ofBelarus, theChamber ofrepresentatives, theCouncil ofRepublic, theSupreme
Court oftheRepublic ofBelarus, theSupreme Economic Court oftheRepublic ofBelarus andthe
Council ofMinister, make conclusions ontheconsistency ofacts,laws, decrees andother regulatory
actswiththeConstitution oftheRepublic ofBelarus.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page14
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE INGOODS
IV.l Import Regulation
IV.1(a) Registration requirements
Question 30:
According totheMemorandum, there arenoregistration requirements forengaging inimporting.
However, according toparagraph 4ofAnnex 4ofWT/ACC/BLR/l (Customs Valuation), the
importer isalways anatural orlegalperson resident inBelarus. Does theright toimport require
commercial registration? Isthescope ofpermissible imports restricted bythescope ofbusiness
specified inthecommercial registration. Areforeign legalornatural persons allowed toimport?
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheBelorussian legislation thedefinition ofanimporter isthefollowing
-"Importer isaresident entity oftheRepublic ofBelarus, whoconcluded withanon-resident aforeign
tradetransaction ofpurchase andsale,barter, commission orconsignment orforeign tradetransaction
onrendering work orservices".
Inaccordance withResolution No.344oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus
dated 25May1993, entities oftheRepublic ofBelarus shallhavetherighttocarry onforeign economic
activities automatically from thetimeoftheirState registration. Thisregistration doesnotstipulate
anyrestrictions anddoesnotaimed atanydiscrimination.
Thescope ofpermissible imports isrestricted onlybyBelorussian legislation. Generally,
thescope ofbusiness isnotspecified intheState registration.
IV.1(b) Characteristics ofnational tariff
Question 31:
Please confirm thatHS96 isnowinforce inBelarus.
Answer:
Yes.
Question 32:
Could Belarus advise whether theuseoftheHarmonized System (HS) 96tariff nomenclature
hascome intoeffect.
Answer:
HS96 isnowinforce inBelarus.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page15
Question 33:
According totheresponse toQuestion 38ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, theHS1996system willcome into
force upon confirmation bytheCabinet ofMinisters. HastheCabinet ofMinisters confirmed
theHS1996 tariff schedule? Hasthetariff schedule which isbased ontheHS96nomenclature
been implemented?
Answer:
TheTrade Nomenclature ofForeign economic activities HS96wasapproved byResolution
No.197oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated 14March 1997(WT/ACC/BLR/5)
andputintoeffect from thedateofitsapproval.
Question 34:
Please identify allproducts, including HSnumbers, thataresubject tominimum duties.
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheratesoftheCustoms tariffs approved byResolution No.72ofthe
Council ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus on10February 1997 (theResolution issubmitted to
theWTO Secretariat, seeWT/ACC/BLR/5) goods shallbeliable to0percentrateforthefollowing
commodity positions:
01,0701, 1205, 1206, 4901, 4902, 4905, 4906, 5201, 5202, 5203, 850790,8713,
8714 20,97.
5percentrate:
0305 10,0510, 0511 10,0601, 0602, 0604, 0801, 0802, 0804, 0805, 0814, 09,
10,12,13,14,1505, 1508, 1511, 1513, 1515, 1520, 1702, 1703, 1901 10,23,
2401, 25,26,27,28,29,3301, 3302, 3306, 3403, 3407, 35,38,40,41,4204,
4301, 4302, 4806, 4807, 4813, 4821, 4822, 5204-5207, 53,5404-5406, 5501-5511,
56,59,6305, 6406, 6909, 7017, 72,74,78,79,80,8202, 8204, 8205, 8207,
8208, 8209, 8404, 8409, 8413, 8414, 8416, 8417, 8422, 8424, 8428, 8431,
8432-8438, 8439-8441, 8442, 8443, 8448, 8451, 8453, 8454, 8463, 8466, 8468,
8473, 8475, 8477, 8478, 8479, 8480, 8483-8485, 8501, 8514, 8517, 8522, 8525,
8529, 8530, 8537, 8538, 8543, 8603, 8607, 8608, 8609, 8708, 8803, 8901, 9004,
9009, 9010, 9011-9015, 9018, 9019, 9021, 9022, 9024, 9025, 9028, 9030, 9032,
9402, 9612.
Question 35:
Table 5oftheMemorandum provides aschedule oftariffs andamendments asofJune 1995.
However, theresponse toQuestion 35ofWT/ACC/BLR/2 states thatthetariff schedule was
amended again inNovember 1995.
What istherelationship ofthese changes to(a)domestic of(b)customs union requirements?
WillBelarusrefrainfrommakinganyfurtheramendmentstoitstariffscheduleuntilthecompletion
ofthemarket access negotiations forWTO accession?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page16
Please provide, inelectronic media, anup-to-date version ofBelarus 'stariff schedule, e.g.
incorporating allamendments since June 1995.
Answer:
Amendments ofthetariffschedule areconditioned byinternal needs ofBelorussian economy
andfirstofallaimed atitsstructural adjustment andsolution ofimmediate social tasks.
Belarus andRussian Federation work onharmonisation ofthere tariff schedules within the
frameworks ofthefulfilment ofthebasic conditions oftheAgreement ontheCustoms Union.
Intheprocess ofaccession totheWTO, Belarus willholdnegotiations ontariff conditions ofits
accession totheWTO guided bytherules andprinciples oftheWTO.
Belarus'tariffschedulewithallamendmentswassubmittedtotheWTOSecretariatinelectronic
media.
Question 36:
Weseekfurther information ontheuseofminimum duties, andwhich products theyapply to.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion No.34.
Question 37:
Wewould begrateful toreceive acopyofthecurrently applied tariff rates andimport statistics
onatariff-line levelforthemost recent period ondiskette. Import statistics should, ifpossible,
indicate total imports from theEuropean Communities foreachtariff line,aswellasimports
from individual Member States.
Answer:
Statistical information issubmitted totheWTO Secretariat herewith ondiskette. (Available
intheSecretariat, Accessions Division, Room 1126, forconsultation.)
IV.1(c) Tariff quotas, tariff exemptions
Question 38:
According totheMemorandum, goods imported byaforeign investor toform thefixed capital
oftheenterprisewithforeigninvestmentareexemptfrompaymentofimporttariffs.Pleasedescribe
theterms andconditions forthistariff exemption indetail.
Answer:
Inaccordance with Decree No.6ofthePresident oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated
10March1997"OnFurtherRegulationoftheProcedureofProvisionofPrivilegestoLegalandPhysical
Persons onTaxes andCustoms Payment" (theDecree wassubmitted totheWTO Secretariat, see
WT/ACC/BLR/5),goodsimportedintotheterritoryoftheRepublicofBelarusascontributionofforeignWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page17
participants intotheauthorized fundofenterprises withforeign investments shallbeexempted from
thecustoms dutyandthevalue-added taxoncondition thatthese goods:
- constitute fixed production assets;
- arenotliable toexcise;
- areimported within thetimeperiod established bythefoundation documents fortheformation
oftheauthorized fundoftheenterprise withforeign investments.
Question 39:
According totheMemorandum, goods produced infreecustoms zones located intheterritory
oftheRepublic ofBelarus anddesigned tobeusedinthisterritory oroutside it,areexempt from
import duties.
Please describe thistariff exemption inmore detail. How many freecustoms zones arethere?
Areallcategories ofgoods eligible forthisexemption? Foreachofthepastthree years, what
isthevalue oftrade thatwaseligible forthistariff exemption?
What ismeant bythephrase, "designed tobeusedinthisterritory oroutside it"?
When goods produced inthefreecustoms zones aresoldintherestofBelarus, dotheybearthe
same tariff andnon-tariff requirements asgoods imported directly intoBelarus? Ifnot,whynot,
given thattheyhave been manufactured outside theapplied customs regime?
Answer:
Atpresent, onefreeeconomic zoneexists ontheterritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
AccordingtoDecreeNo.114ofthePresidentoftheRepublicofBelarusdated20March1996
"OnFreeEconomic Zones ontheTerritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus" (theDecree wassubmitted
totheWTO Secretariat, seeWT/ACC/BLR/5), Resolution No.559oftheCouncil ofMinisters of
theRepublic ofBelarus "OnApproval oftheregulation ontheFreeEconomic Zone "Brest" dated
23August 1996 (theResolution issubmitted totheWTO Secretariat, seeWT/ACC/BLR/5) andin
conformity withArticle 57oftheCustoms Code oftheRepublic ofBelarus thefollowing procedure
oflevying ofcustoms payments isestablished when goods areimported intotheterritory ofthefree
customs zone:
- duties forcustoms clearance shallbelevied attherateofoneminimum salary when the"Free
Customs Zone" treatment isestablished inrelation toimported goods;
- theimport customs duty, value-added taxandexcise arenotlevied when goods areimported
intotheterritory ofthefreecustoms zone, economic policy measures arenotapplied or
marking byexcise stamps arenotrequired;
- thecustoms dutyandthevalue-added taxand,incases established bythelegislation ofthe
Republic ofBelarus, excise shallbelevied inthefullamount when goods areimported into
theterritory ofthefreecustoms zone. Marking byexcise stamps ismandatory.
Products (work, services) ofresidents ’ofthefreeeconomic zoneone’sownproduction
exported outside thezoneshallbeexempted fromthecustoms payments (except forcustoms clearance
duties).
Products ofone’sownproduction mean products manufactured directly withtheuseofone’s
ownorleased fixedassets, required materials, rawmaterials, prefabricated items, components acquired
attheexpense ofone’sownorborrowed funds if,asaresult ofthefulfilment ofthework, thecodeWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page18
oftheTrade Nomenclature ofForeign Economic Activity oftheRepublic ofBelarus hasbeenchanged
asregards onethefirstsixsigns.
Customs dutyandother payments (except forcustoms clearance) shallnotbelevied when
goods areexported from theterritory ofthefreeeconomic zonetoother countries.
Belarus doesnotpossess dataonthevolumes ofgoods trade subject tocustoms exemption
since theRegulation ontheFreeEconomic Zone "Brest" wasadopted on23August 1996 while the
firstresidents were registered onlyattheendof1996.
Seealsoanswer toQuestion No.146.
IV.1(d) Other duties andcharges
Question 40:
Please provide update ofthelegislative programme tointroduce acustoms clearance charge that
isequal totheservices rendered andanexplanation ofhowthenewcharge was/will becalculated.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion No.43.
Question 41:
Please confirm thatnoduties andcharges arelevied onimports, other thanordinary customs
duties .
Answer:
Yes,within themeaning ofArticle IIofGATT 1994.
(Theissue isregulated byResolution No.72oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic
ofBelarus dated 10February 1997, which hasbeen submitted totheWTO Secretariat, see
WT/ACC/BLR/5).
Question 42:
HasBelarus definitively introduced thecustoms clearance charge atarateequal tothecostof
theservices rendered? (WT/ACC/BLR/2, Question 49)
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion No.43.
Question 43:
According totheresponse toQuestion 49ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, theGovernment ofBelarus plans
toputintoeffect anational provision which establishes charge rates equal toservices rendered.
What steps hastheGovernment ofBelarus taken tobring itscustoms clearance charges into
conformity withGATT Article VIII? When willtheGovernment ofBelarus implement thenew
system ofcustoms charges?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page19
Answer:
Atpresent, theRegulation ontheprocedure oflevying ofcharge forthecustoms clearance
ofgoods isatthestage ofagreeing. Tojustify thesizeofnewcustoms clearance rates, themethod
ofexpenses borne bycustoms bodies wasusedaswellasthecurrent levelofcosts forcomparable
services rendered byother bodies ofthegovernment. Socustom clearance charges willbebrought
intoconformity withGATT Article VIII.
Question 44:
Weseekdetails onwhen Belarus intends tointroduce acustoms clearance feeequal toservices
rendered.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion No.43.
IV.1(e) Quantitative import restrictions
Question 45:
Information onanumber ofproducts subject toquantitative restrictions isprovided in
WT/ACC/BLR/l and2.Please addtothetable atquestion 52theWTO provision under which
Belarus justifies theexistence ofeachofthese restrictions.
Answer:
These restrictions wereintroduced inconformity withArticle XXofGATT 1994. Seealso
Annex 3.
Question 46:
Would itbepossible tohave thelistofproducts subject toanimport banduetotheproblems
caused bytheChernobyl accident? (WT/ACC/BLR/2, Question 52)
Answer:
There arenoproducts which import isbanned duetoChernobyl accident.
Question 47:
According totheMemorandum, import prohibitions apply toprinted matter, audio, video and
similar materials which maycause damage topublic morals orhuman health ortheState security
ofBelarus.
Please describe thecriteria thatareapplied indetermining whether these materials maycause
damage totheState security ofBelarus. DoestheGovernment ofBelarus prohibit theimportation
ofmaterials concerning political commentary? What istheGATT rationale forthisimport
prohibition?
Could theRepublic ofBelarus confirm thatitdoesnotmaintain anybanorquantitative restrictions
onimports ofagricultural products?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page20
Answer:
These restrictions were introduced inaccordance with GATT Article XX(a,b) and
GATT Article XXI(b(ii)).
TheGovernment ofBelarus doesnotprohibit theimportation ofmaterials concerning political
commentary, except those aimed atforcible upheaval oftheState system orpropagating war,social,
national, religious andracial enmity.
Belarus doesnotmaintain anybanorquantitative restrictions onimports ofagricultural
products.
IV.1(f) Import licensing procedure
Question 48:
What steps hasBelarus taken tobring itsalcohol production andlicensing regime intolinewith
theRussian regime?
Answer:
Production, circulation anduseofalcoholic products arecontrolled bytheState.
State regulation measures include: licensing oftheproduction andcirculation ofalcoholic
products, establishment ofquotas fortheproduction andwholesale aswellasaseries ofother measures
(certification, marking, etc.).
Question 49:
Please provide precise indications onhowtheadministrative charge forissuing licences corresponds
tothecostoftheservice rendered -theanswer toquestion 53.1doesnotdothis.
Answer:
Theadministrative charge forissuing licences isfixed andrelated totheminimum salary
constituting tenminimum salaries fortheissueofasingle licence and15minimum salaries forissuing
ageneral licence.
Thesizeofthecharge isdetermined proceeding from pre-calculated expenses for:
- salary ofspecialists whoconsider andissue licences;
- expendable equipment;
- non-expendable equipment;
- maintenance ofelectronic database onthelicenses issued.
Question 50:
What ismeant by"single licence" and"general licence" inSection VI?(WT/ACC/BLR/l, Annex 3,
page 87)WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page21
Answer:
Single license isgranted toanapplicant tocarry outexport (import) operations foreach
separate transaction (contract).
General license isgranted toanapplicant tocarry outexport operations oncertain goods
inadefinite volume within adefinite period oftime. Thelicense allows tocarry outexports ofdeclared
goods onseveral transactions (contracts) without restrictions.
Question 51:
Please provide atranslated copy oftheRegulation onImport andexport licensing procedure in
theRepublic ofBelarus, Resolution No.213oftheCabinet ofMinisters, including Annex 3of
1December 1994, totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Resolution No.213oftheCabinet ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated
1December 1994 including Annex 3was submitted totheWTO Secretariat. (See
WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1).
Question 52:
Please describe indetail theprocess forappealing adecision tonotgrant animport license.
Answer:
Theprocedure ofissueoftheimport licence isregulated byResolution No.213oftheCabinet
ofMinistersoftheRepublicofBelarusdated1December1994(itwassubmittedtotheWTOSecretariat,
seeWT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1). Incaseofnotgranting animport license, anentity hastherighttolodge
acomplaint totheEconomic Court.
Question 53:
According toAnnex 3ofWT/ACC/BLR/l ,inorder toreceive import licenses from theMinistry
ofForeign Economic Relations, permits must firstbeobtained from theMinistry ofAgriculture
andFood Products forherbicides, fungicides, orinsecticides usedinagriculture. Permits must
similarly beobtained from theMinistry ofEcology inthecaseofindustrial wastes andslags, and
from theMinistry ofHealth forinsecticides utilized forhuman beings orinhuman dwellings,
orother chemicals utilized forhuman beings andrelated toHSsub-group 3808.
Please identify thedomestic legislative authority under which these requirements areapplied and
supply copies intranslation forWorking Party review. Please listthecriteria considered bythese
lineagencies inmaking their determinations onwhether ornottoissue apermit. Towhat extent
arethese licenses automatic?
Aretheprocedures followed andcriteria applied toimports toreceive apermit applied inthe
same manner todomestic producers ordomestically-produced products fordomestic circulation?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page22
Answer:
Inaccordance withResolution No.213oftheCabinet ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus
dated 1December 1994(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) theimport ofchemical plantprotection means shall
becarried outunder licences oftheMinistry ofForeign Economic Relations. Theprocedure oflicensing
isdefined bytheRegulation approved bytheabove Resolution.
TheMinistry ofNatural Resources istheStateagency responsible fortheissue ofpermits
forimport ofindustrial waste.
Criteria considered bytheMinistry ofHealth toissue alicense arethefollowing :
(i) asregards plants protection means, theRepublic ofBelarus hasadopted thecurrent List
ofPlant Protection Means andPlant Growth Regulators allowed foruseintheagricultural
andindustrial fields oftheRepublic including those allowed forsaletothepopulation for
1995-1999;
(ii) asregards household chemistry means andmeans used fordisinfecting, deratization,
sterilization bothinthenational economy oftheRepublic andforhousehold needs the
following criteria areapplied:
-theclassoftheirtoxicity;
-indices (factors) ofpotential accumulation inenvironmental facilities including potable
water;
-theform andconvenience (safety) ofuseandpacking;
-thetypeandpossibility tousepersonal protection means;
-themethods andways ofpacking materials disposal.
Thecriteria applied toimports areapplied inthesame manner todomestic producers or
domestically-produced products fordomestic circulation.
IV.1(h) Customs Valuation
Question 54:
Please provide atranslated copy ofResolution No.278oftheCabinet ofMinisters, dated
28April 1994, "Rules ofCustoms Valuation ofGoods Imported intotheCustoms Territory of
theRepublic ofBelarus" totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Acopy oftheResolution No278hasbeen submitted totheWTO Secretariat. (See
WT/ACC/BLR/1).
Question 55:
Please identify anddescribe those aspects ofBelarus 'customs valuation regime which, inBelarus '
view, arenotinconformity withtheWTO Customs Valuation Agreement.
Answer:
Thecustoms valuation rules applied bythecustoms bodies areinlinewiththeprovisions
oftheAgreement onCustoms Valuation.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page23
Question 56:
According totheinformation provided inAnnex fofWT/ACC/BLR/l (theresponse tothe
Questionnaire onCustoms Valuation), inasalebetween related persons, theimporter hastoprove
thattheir relationship didnotinfluence thetransaction value. However, paragraph 2(a)ofthe
Agreement onCustoms Valuation provides thattransaction value shall beaccepted, unless the
customs administration hasgrounds forconsidering thattherelationship influenced theprice.
Only after thecustoms administration hasprovided notification ofthegrounds forconsidering
thattherelationship influenced theprice, doestheimport needtodemonstrate thatthetransaction
value wasnotinfluenced.
Doimporters ofallproducts soldbetween related parties needtoprove thatthetransaction value
wasnotinfluenced bytherelationship? DotheBelorussian procedures comport withtheprocedures
provided bytheCustoms Valuation Agreement, thatimporters have toshow thattransaction
value wasnotinfluenced onlywhen sonotified bythecustoms authorities? Please describe, in
detail, theprocedures followed bytheBelorussian customs authority tonotify importers thatthere
aregrounds tobelieve thatthetransaction value wasinfluenced bytherelationship between buyer
andseller. Please describe theprocedure tobefollowed bytheimporter torespond tothis
notification.
HowdotheBelorussian Rules ofCustoms Valuation define "related person"? Doesthisdefinition
incorporate thedefinition of"related persons" provided bytheWTO Agreement onCustoms
Valuation?
Answer:
There maybesome terms anddefinitions, which, following theirtranslation inEnglish,
donotfullymatch those terms anddefinitions inEnglish given intheWTO Agreement onCustom
Valuation. According tothenational rules ofcustoms valuation theimporter mustprove theabsence
ofinfluence fromthemutual dependence between thebuyer andtheseller onthepriceofthetransaction
incasewhen customs bodies provide himwiththejustification ofthefactthatsuchmutual dependence
influenced theprice.
Inaccordance withtherulesinforce intheRepublic inrelation tothedetermination ofthe
transaction costitshallbetaken asitwasbefore thetimeofappearance offactsindicating thatrelations
between thebuyer andtheseller didnotinfluence theprice ofthetransaction.
Mutual dependence between people inparticular between thebuyer andtheseller cannot
betheground fornon-recognition ofthedeclared transaction price.
Dataonthemutual dependence ofthebuyer andtheseller aswellasontheinfluence of
thisdependence ontheprice ofthetransaction shallbespecified bytheimporter. Ifthedeclaration
doesnotspecify factsofsuchdependence, thensuchdatamaybeverified onlyincasewhen grounded
doubts ariseastotheadequacy ofthese dataandwhen therearegrounds tosuppose thatthisinfluence
affected theactually paidprice ortheprice tobepaid.
Insuchcasethecustoms body shallstudy thecircumstances ofthetransaction while the
importer shallbegiven theopportunity toprove theabsence ofinfluence because ofmutual dependence.
Insuchcaseheshallprovide documents toconfirm thatmutual dependence didnotinfluence theprice.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page24
Ifmutual dependence isproved, thenthecustoms body shallground thereasons fordeny
ofuseofmethod 1andthepossibility shallbeconsidered forthesubsequent useofother customs
valuation methods.
Proceeding from theabove itfollows thatinaccordance withthenational legislation the
importer mustprove theabsence ofmutual dependence influence onthecostofthetransaction incase
when thecustoms administration demands andonlyiftheadministration hasgrounds forsuchdemand.
Themeaningof"mutuallydependentpeople"asusedintheBelorussianlegislationcorresponds
tothedefinition of"related persons" given intheWTO Agreement onCustoms Valuation.
InaccordancewiththeBelorussianrulesofcustomsvaluation(paragraph13.5oftheResolution
No.278"OntheRules fordefinition oftheCustoms Value ofThings Imported intotheCustoms
TerritoryoftheRepublicofBelarus",dated26April1994,WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)"mutuallydependent
people "shallmean persons incases when:
- oneofthepersons representing parties ofthetransaction isatthesametimeanofficial person
oftheother party ofthetransaction;
- persons representing parties ofthetransaction areco-owners orco-founders ofsome
entrepreneurial structures;
- persons representing parties ofthetransaction areconnected bymutual obligations through
labour relations;
- oneofthepersons representing parties ofthetransaction isafounder oftheother participant
ofthetransaction oranowner ofall,orofpart, ofhisfixed assets constituting atleast
5percentofthetotalamount oftheauthorized capital;
- persons representing parties ofthetransaction areunder direct management oranindirect
control ofathirdperson;
- persons representing parties ofthetransaction manage jointly orindirectly control activities
ofathirdperson;
- oneoftheparticipants ofthetransaction isunder direct management orindirect control of
theother participant ofthetransaction;
- persons representing parties ofthetransaction ortheirofficials aremembers ofthesame
family.
Question 57:
According toparagraph 4ofAnnex 4,inorder topermit theverification ofthedeclared value,
theimporter shallprovide allnecessary information, ifrequired, bythecustoms administration,
andshallalsoprove itstruth ifnecessary. What information isrequired tobeprovided topermit
thedeclaration tobeverified? What evidence doestheimporter needtoprovide toprove thetruth
ofthedeclaration?
Answer:
Toconfirm thedeclared dataonthecustoms value, theimporter shallsubmit thefollowing
documents:
(a) mandatory documents:
-aninvoice andbanking payment documents, apro-forma invoice andother payment
oraccountancy documents;
-transport andinsurance documents iftheyexistdepending ontheconditions ofdelivery;WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page25
-aninvoice fortransportation oranofficially certified calculation oftransport expenses
incases when transport expenses were notincluded intotheinvoice.
(b) additional documents required mayinclude:
-acontract andadditional agreements toit;
-contracts withthirdpersons thatarerelated tothetransaction;
-invoices forpayment tothirdpersons forthebenefit oftheseller;
-invoices forcommission andbroker services thatarerelated tothetransaction with
thegoods being evaluated;
-acustoms declaration ofthecountry ofshipment (ifany);
-packing sheets;
-accountancy documentation;
-licensing orauthorship agreements;
-export (import) licences;
-warehouse documents;
-delivery orders;
-catalogues, specifications andpricelistsofmanufactures forthegoods being evaluated;
-other documents thatmaybeusedforconfirmation ofdatadeclared inthedeclaration.
Question 58:
According totheresponse toparagraph 5(a)ofAnnex 4,when thecustoms value oftheimported
goods cannot bedetermined bythemethods described inArticles 1through 6,inclusive ofthe
Agreement, orifthecustoms administration consider these methods notapplicable, customs value
shallbedetermined using other methods inaccordance withtheprinciples andgeneral provisions
oftheAgreement andArticle VIIofGATT.
Please describe themethods usedbythecustoms administration under these circumstances.
Does theBelarus customs authority currently useminimum customs values forthispurpose? Is
there legal authority forBelarus touseminimum customs values forvaluation proposes?
Answer:
Noother methods areapplied.
TheRepublic ofBelarus doesnotapply theminimum customs value nordoesithaveany
special legalauthority tackling thisissue.
Question 59:
Article 7.2oftheCustoms Valuation Agreement prohibits seven valuation methods. However,
according totheresponse toquestion 5(c)ofAnnex 4,onlytwoofthese methods areexpressly
prohibited byBelorussian law:i.e.theselling price inthecountry ofimportation ofgoods produced
insuch country andtheprice ofgoods forexport toacountry other than thecountry of
importation.
Arethere anyother provisions ofBelorussian laworregulation thatprohibit anyoftheother
fivemethods ofcustoms valuation listed inArticle 7.2oftheCustoms Valuation Agreement?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page26
How does theGovernment ofBelarus intend toimplement theprovisions oftheDecision of
26April 1984 ontheTreatment ofInterest Charges intheCustoms Value ofImported Goods
(VAL/6/Rev.I)?
Answer:
ResolutionNo.278oftheCouncilofMinistersoftheRepublicofBelarusdated26April1994
(inparticularparagraph29,WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)describesprohibitivemethodsofcustomsvaluation.
Nocustoms value shallbedetermined onthebasis ofthefollowing:
- theselling price inthecountry ofimportation ofgoods produced insuchcountry
- theprice ofgoods onthedomestic market oftheRepublic ofBelarus,
- theprice ofgoods forexport toacountry other thanthecountry ofimportation
- theprice ofgoods originated from theRepublic ofBelarus,
- minimum customs value
- arbitrary orfictitious value.
Thisissue iscurrently being studied.
Question 60:
Belarus should implement theWTO Agreement onCustoms Valuation from thedateofaccession,
andbegin nowtomake thenecessary changes initslawsandregulations tobring itsregime into
conformity withtheWTO Agreement.
Answer:
Belarus hasalready began tomake thenecessary changes initslawsandregulations tobring itsregime
intoconformity withtheWTO Agreement. Belarus willbeabletoimplement theWTO Agreement
onCustoms Valuation from thedateofaccession.
IV.l(j) Pre-shipment inspection
Question 61:
WillBelarusensurethatpre-shipmentinspectionactivitiescarriedoutforBelstandartareperformed
inconformity with theprovisions oftheWTO, including theAgreement onPre-shipment
Inspection?
Answer:
Preshipment inspection activities inBelarus areperformed inconformity withtheprovisions
oftheWTO, including theAgreement onPreshipment Inspection.
Question 62:
According totheMemorandum, Belarus hascontracted withapre-shipment inspection firm.
Prior tothenextWorking Party meeting, Belarus should prepare adescription oftheterms of
itsagreement withthatfirm, comparing itwiththeWTO Agreement onPre-shipment Inspection
andindicating itsdeficiencies.
Please describe thefeestructure ofBelarus 'pre-shipment inspection contract.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page27
TheGovernment ofBelarus should ensure thattheoperations ofthisfirmareconsistent with
therelevant WTO Agreements, inparticular, GATT Article VIII, theAgreement onPre-shipment
Inspection andtheAgreement ontheImplementation ofArticle VIIoftheGATT 1994.
Answer:
Forthepurpose ofimproving thenational regulation inthesphere offoreign trade the
Agreement wasmade on6January 1997 between theMinistry ofForeign Economic Relations and
thefirm"Bureau Veritas BI.V.A.C. BV"onexecution ofaprogram onpre-shipment inspection of
imported goods. Resolution No.793oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated
26June1997 "OnIntroduction ofPre-shipment Inspection ofGoods Imported intotheRepublic of
Belarus" specified thetimeofintroduction ofpre-shipment inspection asof1August 1997.
According toArticle 1oftheabove Agreement theMinistry ofForeign Economic Relations
gives theinstruction andVeritas accepts suchinstruction byrendering thefollowing inspection services
through itsbranches andauthorized representations:
- physical identification ofgoods including verification oftheirquantity andquality;
- verification ofprices andservices forcustoms coding.
Physical identification ofgoods. Veritas shall exercise physical identification ofgoods
including inspection ofquantity andquality ofgoods thataredesigned forimportation intotheRepublic
ofBelarus. Identification shallbemade before theshipment inallsupplier countries withaviewof
determining thecorrespondence ofsubmitted goods tothedescription informed toVeritas bythe
importer. Veritas shallbeindependent intaking decision ontherequired scope ofeachinspection.
Determination ofquality. Inspection ofquality ofgoods shallbeexercised onthebasis of
therequirements specified bytheimporter inthecontract and/or inappended specifications andimplies
thedetermination ofthegoods correspondence toallgiven quality characteristics.
Verification prices. Along withthephysical inspection Veritas shallmake verification of
prices forthegoods withaview ofdetermining, onthebasis oftheinformation received, the
correspondence oftheprices andtheamounts specified intheinvoices bythegoods seller tothelevel
ofexport prices prevailing inthecountry ofthesupply or,ifapplied, ontheworld market. Verification
ofprices shallnotbelimited bytheverification ofpurchasing prices forgoods butshallcover theentire
contractual amount including allrelated services inaccordance withtheINCOTERMS-90 conditions.
Customscoding.OnthebasisofthephysicalidentificationVeritasshallprovideitsassessment
ofthecorrect customs coding inaccordance withtheprovisions inforce intheRepublic ofBelarus.
Thedateofreference usedfordetermining theamount liable tocustoms payments shallbethedate
ofphysical identification ofgoods bythefirmVeritas.
Theresults ofverification ofcustoms coding andthecustom value willbeusedtoissue,
oncompletion ofeachsupply ofgoods, theCustoms Clear Report ontheResults which willallow
therelevant bodies ofState government oftheRepublic ofBelarus toobtain information about the
customs value andthecodeofgoods required forcalculation ofcustoms payments.
TheAgreement signed determines thelistofgoods thatarenotliable tothepre-shipment
inspection procedure. Atpresent, twolistsofgoods havebeenapproved forwhich thepre-shipment
inspection shallbeperformed firstofall:medical goods, agricultural goods andfoodstuff.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page28
Theminimum costofabatch ofgoods liable toinspection isestablished intheamount equal
toUS$5,000. Supplies ofgoods thecostofwhich isbelow theminimum costshallbeliable toinspection
ifthetotalcostofsupplies made byoneimporter within theframeworks ofonecontract isequal to
orexceeds theminimum cost.
Thepre-shipment inspection shallbeperformed tocheck thecorrespondence oftheimported
goods tothephysical identification parameters declared inthecontract and/or specifications including
inspection ofthequantity ofgoods andinspection ofthecorrespondence ofgoods tothedeclared
parameters andcharacteristics, price andclassification codes.
Theamount ofthefeefortheperformance ofpre-shipment inspection isdifferentiates and
constitutes 0.75percentofthecontract value foragricultural goods andfoodstuff and0.95percent
forallother goods.
Theamount ofthefeeshallbetransferred bytheimporter totheaccount oftheVeritas
Company andshallbethepayment oftheCompany ’sservices fortheinspection performed.
Inconformity withArticle 6oftheabove Agreement allactivities ofVeritas ontheterritory
oftheRepublic ofBelarus including salaries ofitsstaff, renting ofrooms andtransport facilities and
soonshallbeliable totaxation inaccordance withthelegislation oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
When themechanism ofpre-shipment inspection ofgoods imported intotheRepublic of
Belarus wasprepared account wasmade oftheAgreement onPre-shipment Inspection.
IV.1(k) Application ofinternal taxes onimports
Question 63:
Please identify anyproducts, including HSnumbers, inwhich different VAT ratesapply toforeign
anddomestically-produced products.
Answer:
Inconformity withLaw"OntheValue-Added Tax"No.1319-XII dated 19December 1991
(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) thesingle value-added taxrateintheamount of20percentisapplied for
goods ofdomestic andforeign production.
Atthesame time, theLawestablished areduced value-added taxrateintheamount of
10percentforagricultural products (except flowers anddecorative plants), animal farming (except
furanimal farming), pisciculture andapiculture aswellasoffoodproducts produced byentities of
theRepublic ofBelarus according tothelistapproved byResolution No.509oftheCabinet ofMinisters
oftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnIssues ofCollection oftheValue-Added Tax" dated 2August 1996.
Food products imported intheterritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus which arelisted inthis
Resolution aresubject totaxation attherateof10percent. AcopyofResolution No.509hasbeen
submitted totheWTO Secretariat (seeWT/ACC/BLR/5).
Question 64:
Please identify theagricultural products, including HSnumbers, thataresubject tothe10percent
VAT rate. Please identify allproducts, including HSnumbers, which areexempt from VAT.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page29
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 63.
Allproducts exempted from VAT arelisted intheLaw "OntheValue-Added Tax"
No.1319-XII dated 19December 1991, which wassubmitted totheWTO Secretariat (see
WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1).
Question 65:
According totheMemorandum, internal indirect taxes arenotlevied onimported goods from
CIScountries. HowdoestheGovernment ofBelarus intend toeliminate these exemptions tobring
itsregime intoconformity withGATT Article III?
Answer:
Inconformity withtheagreement between countries members oftheCISonindirect taxes
incaseofforeign trade operations the"country oforigin" principle isapplied while incaseofother
foreign countries the"country ofdestination" principle isapplied.
The"country oforigin" principle isapplied intradeturnover withtheCISmember States.
Incaseofsuchprinciple, goods originated andimported fromtheterritory oftheCISmember States
intotheterritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus shallnotbeliable toindirect taxesincluding thevalue-added
taxandshallbeliable intheexporter country totaxes thataretransferred tothebudget oftheexporter
country. Goods realised totheCISmember States shallbeliable toindirect taxes andthetaxes shall
betransferred tothebudget oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
The"country ofdestination" principle shallbeapplied inthetradeturnover withcountries
thatarenotmembers oftheCIS.Incaseofthisprinciple, goods imported intotheterritory ofthe
Republic shallbeliable tothevalue-added taxwhen imported while incasewhen goods areexported
tosuchStates indirect taxes shallnotbelevied.
Thus, noexception isprovided totheCIScountries andthetaxonimported goods islevied.
Themain taskintheRepublic ofBelarus becomes thetransition tothecalculation and
collection ofindirect taxesaccording totheprinciple ofthecountry ofdestination tobeapplied inforeign
economic operations within theframework oftheUnion ofRussia andBelarus, theCustoms Union
andintheCISonthewhole.
Forthese purposes, theGovernment hasprepared andapproved aplanoftransition tothe
calculation ofindirect taxes according tothe"country ofdestination" principle theimplementation of
which willhelpremove thecurrent situation.
Thetransition tothecollection ofthevalue-added taxbythe"country ofdestination" principle
inaccordance withArticle IIIoftheGATT isprojected tobemade during theprocess ofwork on
theunification ofthetaxlegislation within theframework oftheUnion ofRussia andBelarus notearlier
than2000.
Question 66:
Does Belarus intend tolevyinternal indirect taxes ongoods imported from CIScountries? Please
giveinformation onthelegislative programme andtimetable toeffect thischange.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page30
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 65.
Question 67:
Theanswer toquestion 58gives information onthebasis forcharging VAT onimported goods.
Please compare thiswiththebasis forcharging VAT ondomestic goods.
Answer:
Thetaxable basis forthecalculation ofthevalue-added taxincaseofimported goods is
theircustoms value towhich thecustoms dutyisadded and,asregards theexcisable goods, theamount
ofexcise. When goods aresoldthatareinfreecirculation thevalue-added taxonsuchgoods shall
bepaidaccording totheestablished rateproceeding from thesalerevenues minus material expenses
including theamount ofthevalue-added taxpaidwhen goods areimported intotheRepublic ofBelarus.
Thus, taxation ofimported goods during theirfuture movement overtheterritory ofthe
Republic ofBelarus aswellasofdomestic production goods the"subtraction" method shallbeapplied,
therefore thetaxburden ongoods produced andsoldintheRepublic ofBelarus aswellasgoods imported
andsoldintheRepublic ofBelarus isequal. Seealsotheanswer toquestion 65.
Question 68:
Does Belarus have anyplans tochange thelevying ofVAT andexcise taxes onintra-CIS trade
tothecountry ofdestination principle thatisapplied tonon-CIS countries.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 65.
Question 69:
Excise taxes: isthelistofproducts subject toexcise tax(table 6)exhaustive orhave there been
anysubsequent changes? (WT/ACC/BLR/l)
Answer:
Before December 1995, thelistofgoods liable toexcise taxandtheratesofexcise ongoods
imported intotheRepublic ofBelarus hadbeenputintoforcebythefollowing resolutions oftheCabinet
ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus:
- Resolution No.252"OnApproval ofExcise RateonGoods Imported intotheTerritory
oftheRepublic ofBelarus" dated 12May1995 (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1);
- Resolution No.538"OnAlterations intheExcise Rates onGoods Imported intotheTerritory
oftheRepublic ofBelarus" dated 2October 1995 (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1);
In1996-1997, anumber ofregulatory documents havebeenpassed making more specific
theexcise rates.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page31
- Resolution No.55oftheCabinet ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated
22January 1996 made alterations intheexcise ratesonimported automotive facilities.
- Resolution No.109oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated
21February 1997 (WT/ACC/BLR/5) introduced thefollowing position ofthetaxrateon
excisable goods:
2207 20000 ethylene alcohol andother denatured alcohol ofanyconcentration 60percent
Atthesame timeitexcluded:
From 8903 91yachts 30percent
From 8903 92cutters except special purpose 30percent
Wealsoinform thatTable 6(theAddendum toMemorandum) didnotreflect thefollowing
positions:
7113 -30percent
7114 -30percent
7116 -30percent.
Theabove rateswereestablished byResolution No.252oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofthe
Republic ofBelarus dated 12May1995 (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1).
Question 70:
Internal direct taxes arelevied onimported goods except goods from CIScountries. When does
Belarus intend tointroduce definitively theprinciple ofdestination (forimports) forCIScountries
too?Does aninitial timetable forthisharmonization already exist? (WT/ACC/BLR/l)
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion No.65.
IV.1(l) Rules oforigin
Question 71:
Please provide amore complete description ofBelarus 'preferential andnon-preferential rules
oforigin.
Answer:
Theprocedure ofdetermination ofthecountry oforigin ofgoods imported intothecustoms
territory oftheRepublic ofBelarus isapproved byOrder No.74-O oftheChairman oftheCustoms
CommitteeoftheRepublicofBelarusdated17March1997.Thisprocedurewasdevelopedinconformity
withResolution No.72oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus "OntheCustoms Tariff
oftheRepublic ofBelarus" dated 10February 1997 (WT/ACC/BLR/5), Resolution No.420ofthe
Council ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnApproval ofRules forDetermination oftheCountry
ofOrigin ofGoods Moved across theCustoms Border oftheRepublic ofBelarus" dated 6June1994
andDecision oftheCouncil ofCISGovernments Heads dated 18October 1996"OntheNewWording
ofParagraph 9oftheRules forDetermination oftheCountry ofOrigin ofGoods".WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page32
ThisProcedure doesnotcover goods moved across thecustoms border oftheRepublic of
Belarus byphysical persons astheirpersonal property.
Goods arenotconsidered asoriginated fromagiven country untilthetimeadulyarranged
certificate issubmitted andother dataconfirming thefulfilment oftheconditions, namely:
- submission tocustoms bodies oftheoriginal certificate oforigin according toForm CT-1
inconformity with theDecision oftheCISGovernments ’Heads ontheRules for
Determination oftheCountry ofOrigin ofGoods (such certificate isnotrequired toconfirm
theorigin ofabatch ofgoods withtheinvoice value ofuptoUS$5,000. Inthiscase, the
country oforigin shallbespecified bytheexporter ontheinvoice orother accompanying
documents appended togoods tobeproduced tothecustoms bodies).
TheCT-1 certificate mustcontain thefollowing dataongoods forwhich ithasbeenissued:
- thename andtheaddress oftheexporter;
- thename andtheaddress oftheimporter;
- thenumber ofcases andthetypeofpacking, thedescription ofgoods including allthedata
necessary foridentification ofthegoods;
- thegross andthenetweight orthequantity ofgoods.
Thecertificate musthaveasealofthecentral bodyofgovernment (ministry, Statecommittee
orcommittee) oroftheChamber ofCommerce andIndustry ofthecountry oforigin ofgoods.
Thecertificate shallbesubmitted tothecustoms body oftheRepublic ofBelarus together
withthecustoms declaration andother documents thatarenecessary forthecustoms clearance.
Question 72:
Please identify anddescribe fully anydifference between Belarus 'rules oforigins andthe
requirements oftheWTO Agreement onRules ofOrigin.
Answer:
Basically, wedonotseeanysubstantive contradictions between Belorussian rulesoforigin
ofgoods andtherequirements oftheWTO Agreement onRules ofOrigin ofgoods, asstipulated in
Article 2oftheAgreement. However, weadmit thatfurther development ofnational legislation and
regulations inthisareawould needtotakeaccount oftheWTO harmonization work programme.
IV.1(m) Anti-dumping, countervailing dutyandsafeguard regime
Question 73:
Does Belarus plantoamend itslegislation providing forspecial customs duties toensure thatit
isconsistent withWTO obligations?
Answer:
Yes,thiswillbedoneupon accession totheWTO.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page33
Question 74:
Does Belarus plantoenact anti-dumping, countervailing andsafeguard legislation? Ifso,please
givedetails andtimetable.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 77.
Question 75:
Weseek details ofplans ofBelarus onthedevelopment andimplementation oflaws on
anti-dumping, countervailing andsafeguards.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 77.
Question 76:
Weseekmore details onthelevying ofindividual specific duties, andinparticular criteria for
determining "discriminatory actions against Belarus".
Answer:
TheRepublic ofBelarus doesnothaveapractice forthelevying ofindividual specific duties.
Criteria of"discriminatory actions against Belarus" aredeemed toinclude politically motivated trade
measures taken byacountry oragroup ofcountries against Belarus, which arenotsanctioned bythe
United Nations orarenotprovided forintheWTO rules anddisciplines.
Question 77:
Please compare Belarus 'provision forretaliatory measures described inthissection with the
provisions oftheWTO Agreements onAnti-dumping andonSubsidies andCountervailing
Measures. Please describe Belarus 'plantoreplace itscurrent legal provisions withsafeguard
andanti-dumping/countervailing duties legislation thatmatches WTO provisions.
Answer:
Atpresent, theRepublic ofBelarus doesnothavelegislative andregulatory actsonsafeguard,
anti-dumping andcountervailing measures inrelation toimport ofproducts intotheRepublic.
Thedevelopment ofthese billsisalready started.
Indoing this,Belarus willbeguided bytherespective Agreements oftheWTO.
Question 78:
Does Belarus plantocontinue useofretaliatory tariffs.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page34
Answer:
Theterm"retaliatory tariffs" doesnotexistintheBelorussian legislation.
IV.2 Export Regulation
IV.2(b) Customs tariff nomenclature, types ofduties, dutyrates
Question 79:
Please confirm thattheduties ongoods inHSChapter 51aretheonlyexport duties currently
applied.
Answer:
Export customs duties arenotapplied onanyproducts.
Question 80:
According totheresponse toQuestion 66ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, export duties were abolished by
Resolution oftheCabinet ofMinisters No.635of30September 1996. However, theresponse
toQuestion 67ofthesame document indicates thatexport duties stilltorawhides. Please explain
thisapparent inconsistency.
Answer:
InDecember 1996 export duties onrawhidewere abolished.
IV.2(c) Quantitative export restrictions
Question 81:
Pleaseprovideinformationoncurrentlyappliedexportrestrictions,showingHSnumber,description
ofproduct, typeofrestriction, specific WTO justification.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 83.
Question 82:
Please provide anupdate onplans toabolish these restrictions.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 83.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page35
Question 83:
According totheanswer toQuestion 68ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, theGovernment ofBelarus planned
toabolish allexport quotas bytheendof1996, except quotas fortextile products andmineral
fertilizers. Were theexport quotas abolished asplanned?
Answer:
Export quotas havebeenabolished onallgoods withtheexception ofmineral fertilisers
(code 3101-3105 oftheTrade Nomenclature forForeign Economic Activity), textile products exported
totheEUstates, waste andscrap offerrous metals (7204), waste andscrap ofcopper (7404), aluminium
(7503) andnickel (7602) originated from theterritory oftheRepublic.
Itisplanned toabolish bytheendof1997 quotas onexport oforganic (3101) andmixed
(3105) fertilisers.
Export quotas onwaste andscrap offerrous metals, waste andscrap ofcopper, aluminium and
nickel originated only from theterritory oftheRepublic areimposed inconformity with
GATT Article XX(i) -asfarasBelarus haslackofthese resources export quota isnecessary toensure
essential quantities ofsuchmaterials toadomestic processing industry.
Export quotas ontextile products exported totheEUstates areimposed inconformity with
GATT Article XX(h) andonthebasis ofAgreement between theEUandtheRepublic ofBelarus on
trade intextile products.
Inrespect ofexport quotas onmineral fertilizers seealsoanswer onQuestion 85.
SeeAnnex 3.
Question 84:
WillBelarus notify totheWTO Textile Monitoring Body therestrictions maintained byWTO
Members onimports oftextiles andclothing products originating inBelarus thatareinforce
onthedateprior tothedateoftheaccession ofBelarus totheWTO, asthebaselevels forthe
purposes ofapplication ofArticles 2and3oftheWTO Agreement onTextiles andClothing?
Answer:
Yes.SeeAnnex 4.
Question 85:
What istheGATT rational fortheexport quota formineral fertilizer? What areBelarus 'plans
fortheelimination ofthisquota?
Answer:
FromJanuary1992theEUintroducedanti-dumpingmeasuresagainstBelorussianchlorinepotassium
while theregulation oftheEUNo.64/94 dated 21February 1994made these anti-dumping measures
more severe (theminimum levelofprices fortheCISgoods wasestablished 30percenthigher than
therealcurrent prices forpotassium fertilisers ontheEUmember-state markets), therefore, inthis
connection theGovernment oftheRepublic ofBelarus introduced, from 1992, thequotas onexportWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page36
ofmineral fertilisers soastoprevent uncontrollable export ofpotassium fertilisers fromtheRepublic
totheEUcountries. Thismeasure ruled outthepossibility ofre-export ofBelorussian fertilisers and
will,probably, haveapositive impact onthetaking bytheEUofthefinaldecision ontheissues of
regulation ofanti-dumping procedure inrelation tochlorine potassium. Asweunderstand, there is
noGATT rational forthisexport quota. Thisissue, aswellas,issues regarding application of
anti-dumping measures against Belorussian products, would needtobedealtduring theWTO accession
process.
Question 86:
DidBelarusabolishtheexportquotasonferrousandnon-ferrousmetalnaturaldepositsandscraps?
What istheWTO rationale forthese export quotas? Please describe fullyanyconditions imposed
ontheexportation ofthese products.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 83.
Question 87:
According totheresponse toQuestion 70ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, theGovernment ofBelarus prohibits
theexportation ofwildplants withmedicinal applications andrawmaterials from suchplants
because thereserves arelimited. What measures arebeing taken torestrict domestic production
orconsumption ofthese items?
Answer:
Inconnection withthelimited resources, export of18kinds ofmedicinal plants hasbeen
banned. Thelistofthese plants isincluded intoAddendum No.3totheOrder oftheState Customs
Committee onthebasisofResolution No.218oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus
dated 18March 1997 (WT/ACC/BLR/5).
Though theamount ofdemands inthisproducts attheinternal market isnotdangerous for
theenvironment several measures arebeing taken torestrict domestic production consumption ofthese
items. Collection ofwildplants contained intheRedBook isprohibited.
Besides, most ofplants banned forexport grow inNational Parks where theircollection
isregulated bytheState.
Thismeasure isintroduced inconformity withtheArticle XX(j). SeealsoAnnex 3
IV.2(d) Export licensing procedures
Question 88:
Please describe theprocedures forobtaining anexport license forallitems subject toquotas in
theform ofaresponse totheQuestionnaire onimport licensing.
Answer:
Thisquestionnaire wassubmitted totheWTO Secretariat. SeeWT/ACC/BLR/1.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page37
Question 89:
According totheMemorandum, licenses arerequired forexports ofprecious stones andmetals
inorder toprevent illicit capital transfers abroad. Please identify, including HSnumbers, all
precious stones andmetals subject toexport licensing.
Answer:
Inconformity withAddendum No.2toResolution No.213oftheCabinet ofMinisters of
theRepublic ofBelarus "OnMeasures forImprovement ofRegulation ofExport andImport ofGoods"
dated 1December 1994(WT/ACC/BLR/1), export ofsome goods iscarried outunder licences ofthe
Ministry ofForeign Economic Relations thataretobeagreed withtheCommittee onPrecious Metals
oftheMinistry ofFinance. Thislicensing isautomatic andaimed atcollection ofstatistical database
andanalysis ofexport ofthese goods.
Listofgoods thatcanbeexported bylicences ofthe
Ministry ofForeign Economic Relations tobeagreed withthe
Committee onPrecious Metals oftheMinistry ofFinance
Code ofHS Description ofgoods
From 253090950* unprocessed amber
260120000, 2616,
284310oreandconcentrates ofprecious metals including incolloidal state,
pyrite andpyrotin concentrates andpyrite cinder
7102, 7103, 7105
(only ofnatural
stones), 711620precious natural stones (diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire, alexandrite)
inallforms: raw,faceted, scrap, waste, powder, recuperate, jewellery
aswellasusedhome andproduction items
7101,711610000 natural orcultivated pearls, processed orunprocessed, sorted outor
non-sorted andproducts made from same
284321000-284390,
7106-7112,7115industrial products from precious metals (Waelz slag,slime, dust, dump
slag, scrap andwaste including useditems, machinery, equipment that
contain precious metals; affinated metals iningots, powder andother
forms; chemical compounds ofprecious metals). Products and
prefabricated items from precious metals ortheir alloys (strips, rolled
bars, wire, etc.); products from non-precious metals coated with
precious metals
7113, 7114, 7117 jewellery products fromprecious metals andhaberdashery products from
non-precious metals coated with precious metals manufactured in
traditions ofartisan craft
711810100-
711890100coins (except golden coins) from precious metals thatarenotin
circulation andnotsubject toexchange
From 711890000 golden coins
902129100 products from precious metals andmaterials containing precious metals
usedindental prosthetics
9101 wrist-watches, pocket watches andother watches tobecarried on
oneself (including stopwatches) with thebody made from precious
metals
911110000,
911120100, 911310,
911320, 960810300
960839100bodies ofwatches andanybracelets from precious metals orfrom non-
precious metals coated withprecious metals, penswiththebody orseal
from precious metalsWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page38
Code ofHS Description ofgoods
*9602 processed amber andproducts from same
From 440391000**,
442010190,
442090190,4420909
90,440791,
**940350000 -
940360preserved oakandproducts from same
9705, 9706 collections andantique items older than100years
* Exclusively amber andproducts from same.
** Exclusively preserved oakandproducts from same.
According toResolution No.368oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus
"OnRegulation ofActivities Related toOperations withPrecious Metals, Precious Stones, Diamond,
Amber andPreserved Oak" dated 4June1993 (WT/ACC/BLR/, licensing shall beapplied toany
activities connected withextraction, recovery fromscrap andwaste, useinproduction, processing and
treatment, buying, realisation andstorage ofprecious metals andprecious stones ofdiamond andamber
inallforms andkinds, manufacture ofjewellery, home andother products fromprecious metals (with
coating from same) andprecious stones, diamond andamber aswellastrade inthem, storage and
acceptance aspawn.
Question 90:
GATT Article XXexcludes theexportation ofgoldorsilver from coverage bytheAgreement.
What isBelarus 'WTO justification forexcluding other precious stones andmetals?
Answer:
Resolution No.464oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated 30July1992
approved the"Rules onTransactions withPrecious Metals andStones" according towhich precious
metals include, along withgoldandsilver, platinum andmetals oftheplatinum group, i.e.,palladium,
iridium, rhodium, osmium andruthenium. Thisisalsoconfirmed bythe"Regulation ontheStateFund
ofPrecious Metals andPrecious Stones oftheRepublic ofBelarus" approved byResolution No.128
oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated 5March 1994. Correspondingly, these
metals arecovered byallrules established forgoldandsilver.
IV.2(f) Export financing, subsidy andpromotion policies
Question 91:
DoesBelarus agree thatthereduction incorporate taxforprofits made from exported production
isanexport subsidy interms oftheAgreement onSubsidies andCountervailing Measures?
Answer:
Referring anymeasure totheexport subsidisation alsodepends, according totheprovisions
oftheAgreement onsubsidies andcompensation measures, onthedegree ofimpact bysuchmeasure
ontheresults ofexport activities, consequences totheexporting country, etc.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page39
Thismeasure wasapplied inconformity withArticle 29ofWTO Agreement onSubsidies
andCountervailing Measures inorder toencourage enterprises which introduce newtechnologies and
produce competitive goods.
Itisnotusedin1997.
Question 92:
Areexports inexchange forfreely convertible currency stillexempt from VAT andexcise tax?
(WT/ACC/BLR/l)
Answer:
TheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnExcise" thatcame intoforce asof1April 1996,
established thatgoods forwhich excise ratesareestablished when theyareexported fromtheRepublic
ofBelarus, withtheexception oftheCISStates, shallbeexempted from theexcise.
TheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OntheValue-Added Tax" thatcame intoforce asof
1April 1996, established thatgoods thataresoldforexport from theRepublic ofBelarus, withthe
exception oftheCISStates, shallbeexempted from thevalue-added tax.
Reason ofcollection ofexcise andValue-Added Taxfrom goods thataresoldforexport
from theRepublic ofBelarus totheCISStates isdescribed inanswer onQuestion 65.
Question 93:
According totheMemorandum, profits from exports inexchange forfreely convertible currency
aretaxed athalfthenormal rates ofprofits tax.
Please provide translated copies oftheLawof19October 1994, "OnAmendments totheTaxation
Legislation inForce", andtheLawof29December 1994, "OnAmendments andAdditions to
Laws oftheRepublic ofBelarus onTaxation" totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking
Party.
What amounts oftaxrevenue were foregone bytheGovernment ofBelarus in1995 andin1996
pursuant totheapplication ofthereduced taxprofits rateonexport earnings? How many
enterprises were eligible forthese reduced taxrates? Please identify thetenenterprises thatwere
thelargest beneficiaries ofthereduced taxratesubsidy. For1995 and1996, what percentage
ofthetotaltaxsubsidy forexport earnings wasreceived bythetenlargest beneficiary enterprises?
Answer:
Thedocuments areenclosed.
Thistemporary measure wasapplied inconformity withArticle 29ofWTO Agreement on
Subsidies andCountervailing Measures inorder toencourage enterprises which introduce new
technologies andproduce competitive goods. Itisnotusedin1997.
Question 94:
Belarus 'taxexemptions forpurposes ofdomestic investment andexport production appear to
beexport subsidies prohibited under theAgreement onSubsidies andCountervailing Measures.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page40
What steps does theGovernment ofBelarus intend totaketobring thisexport subsidy into
conformity withtheWTO Subsidies andCountervailing Measures Agreement?
Answer:
Atpresent, inBelarus nomeasures areusedthatcontradict theAgreement onSubsidies and
Countervailing Measures.
IV.3 Internal Policies Affecting Foreign trade inGoods
IV.3(a) Industrial andsubsidy policies
Question 95:
According totheresponse toQuestion 74ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, theRepublic ofBelarus maintains
ashare of25percentinthose large enterprises thatoccupy adominant position intheBelorussian
market.
Please listthese enterprises andindicate theproducts inwhich theyhave a"dominant position"
inthemarket? Does theRepublic ofBelarus maintain 25percentormore shares inmore than
oneenterprise operating inagiven market? Please describe theenterprises thatoccupy adominant
position andtheindustry sectors inwhich theyoperate.
What financial support doestheGovernment ofBelarus provide tothefirms inwhich itholds
thisinterest? What istheroleoftheGovernment, asa25percentequity shareholder, in
determining themanagement and/or policies ofthese firms?
Answer:
Atpresent, theRepublic hasmorethan200joint-stock companies inwhich theshare ofstocks owned
bytheStateconstitutes over25percent.Permanent search ofinvestors andalienation ofstocks allows
thereduction ofthenumber ofenterprises owned bytheState. Themainforms ofstock saleareauctions
andtenders.
Referring enterprises totheenterprises dominating ontheBelorussian market ismade according
tothemethods developed bytheMinistry ofEntrepreneurship andInvestments.
IntheRepublic ofBelarus, thetotalnumber ofenterprises ismore than1,900 which represent
practically allbasic sectors ofproduction. Theleading sectors include enterprises manufacturing
potassium fertilisers, large trucks, tractors, chemical fibres, metal-working machines, bicycles and
other products. TheRepublic alsohaslarge specialised enterprises ofthelight, radio-electronic,
microbiological, medical, glass andporcelain-and-faience industries.
Thefactofdomination ofenterprises onthecommodity market isestablished bytheMinistry
ofEntrepreneurship andInvestments inaccordance withthe"Recommendations onDetermination of
theDominant Position ofEntities onTrade Markets oftheRepublic ofBelarus".
Thedominant position ofanentity isdetermined onthebasis ofanalysis ofthespecific
situation ofthecommodity market inaccordance withastatistical reporting data.
Theprerequisite forrecognition ofthedominant position isapresence ofoneorseveral
features, namely:WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page41
- absence ofcompetitors onthemarket oftherelevant commodity fortheentity;
- ability oftheentity which isnotthesingle seller orbuyer oftherelevant good toimpose
conditions through saleorpurchase ofgoods thatarenotacceptable forthecounteragents
onthemarket;
- ability oftheentity tolimitthecompetition ofother entities onthemarkets ofrawmaterials,
energy resources, equipment andother goods;
- ability oftheentities toreduce orlimitthesupply ofgoods tothemarket withaview of
obtaining unilateral benefits andadvantages during thesaleofgoods.
Asufficient condition forrecognition ofthedominant position, inaddition totheabove
features, isthefactthattheshare oftheentities ontherespective market ofthedefinite commodity
exceeds thelimits ofamount established Namely, incaseofsupply ofcommodity market byoneentity
(except industrial andtechnical products) thefactofdomination isestablished when theshare of
commodity saleexceeds 30percent.Forproducers oftechnical andindustrial products purpose when
theshare exceeds 45percent.
TheConstitution oftheRepublic ofBelarus establishes theequality ofallforms ofownership.
There arenomechanisms thatenvisage afinancial aidtoentities thathaveashare oftheStateproperty
intheauthorized fund.
Management ofandcontrol overtheactivities oftheabove entities (supervision bytheowner)
inconformity withthelegislation oftheRepublic isexecuted through theappointment bytheministries
andother central bodies ofgovernment ofrepresentatives oftheStateintothebodies ofmanagement
ofsuchentities. Representatives oftheStatetakepartinthework ofmeetings ofshareholders, sessions
ofthemanagement boards inaccordance withthestatutes andwithin thescope ofauthorities established
bytheRegulation ontherepresentative oftheStateinbodies ofmanagement ofjoint-stock companies
andother entities whose stocks (orshares ofthestocks) belong totheRepublic ofBelarus.
Question 96:
According totheresponse toQuestion 80ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, extra-budgetary funds areused
forfinancing notonlyinvestment projects ofbranch andmulti-branch character, butcertain
activities aimed atdiversification ofproduction capacities aswell. Theresponse toQuestion 80
further states thatextra-budgetary funds described intheMemorandum arenolonger operational.
Please explain indetail thedifference between theextra-budgetary funds described intheresponse
toQuestion 80andtheextra-budgetary investment funds described intheMemorandum.
Answer:
Decision ontheformation ofextra-budgetary funds istaken annually bytheLawonbudget
forthenextfiscal year.
Inaccordance withtheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OntheBudget oftheRepublic of
Belarus for1995", in1995 adecision wastaken ontheformation bytheministries, State concerns,
bodies ofRegion executive committees andMinsk CityExecutive Committee ofinvestment funds,
special branch andinter-branch funds forfinancing research anddevelopment work andputting into
production ofnewscience-intensive products andacentralised target fundforfacilitation ofconversion
ofmilitary production facilities.
According totheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OntheBudget oftheRepublic ofBelarus
for1996" (WT/ACC/BLR/5) theministries andother Statebodies weregiven therighttoestablish,
in1996, centralised innovation funds thatunited thepreviously independent centralised investmentWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page42
funds, special branch andinter-branch funds forresearch anddevelopment work andputting into
productionofnewscience-intensiveproductsandfundforfacilitationofconversionofmilitaryproduction
facilities.
In1995, investment funds were formed atthebasis ofdeductions upto1percentofthe
costofproduction andupto15percentofdepreciation deductions designed fortherestoration ofthe
fixed assets, theR&D funds -ofdeductions intheamount ofupto1percentofrevenues from the
saleofproducts (services) andtheconversion fundfromdeductions intheamount ofupto3percent
ofthecostoftheproducts (services) produced bytheenterprises ofthedefence complex.
Therevenues ofinnovation funds in1996wereformed atthebasisofaccumulated deductions
fromthecostofproduction ofgoods, workandservices ofenterprises, amalgamations andorganisations
intheamount ofupto1.1percentaswellasupto7.5percentofthedepreciation deductions designed
fortherestoration ofthefixed assets.
Question 97:
Fortheyears 1995and1996,what amounts ofextra-budgetary investment funds were provided
toenterprises inBelarus? What product sectors received thefivelargest shares ofthese investment
funds? Which enterprises received thetenlargest shares oftheinvestment funds? What percentages
ofthetotalinvestment funds distributed in1994andin1996werereceived byenterprises inwhich
theRepublic ofBelarus retains atleast25percentinterest?
Answer:
Incomes ofinnovation funds in1996 constituted 5.5trillion roubles, ofwhich 4.8trillion
roubles wereprovided forthefinancing ofbranch andinter-branch investment andinnovation projects.
Themostsubstantial investments weredirected forthedevelopment oftheenergy sector, communication
facilities, transport infrastructure, restructuring andmodernisation oftheindustry. 1.7trillion roubles
ofthefundwereprovided totheMinistry ofFuelandEnergy, 0.7trillion roubles totheMinistry of
Communication, 0.7trillion roubles totheBelorussian Railways, 0.6trillion roubles totheMinistry
ofIndustry, 0.3trillion roubles tothe"Belneftekhim" Concern.
Question 98:
What criteria isconsidered bythebranch ministry andindustry associations indetermining which
enterprises receive theinvestment funds? Areexport production, generation offreely-convertible
currency orimport substitution considered asfactors indetermining which enterprises receive
investment funds?
Answer:
Extra-budgetaryinnovativefundsformedwiththeviewoffinancingofthestructuraladjustment
manufacturing ofcompetitive products, scientific andtechnical workwithin branches, themodernisation
ofmanufactured products inaccordance withinternational standards andrules, theimplementation
ofmeasures onreconstruction andtechnical updating ofproduction facilities.
Allthese funds aresetupastheprogrammes necessary fortheprocess oftransformation
tomarket economy andcould beconsidered asmeasures correspondent toArticle 29oftheWTO
Agreement onSubsidies andCountervailing Measures.
Seealsoanswer toQuestion 174.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page43
Question 99:
Towhat extent arethese funds made available tofirms inwhich theGovernment ofBelarus has
anequity interest, e.g.the"dominant" firms inwhich Belarus holds 25percentinterests? Are
foreign-owned businesses inBelarus eligible toreceive extra-budgetary investment funds? How
mayforeign-owned businesses received suchfunds in1995 and1996 andinwhat amounts.
Answer:
TheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OntheBudget oftheRepublic ofBelarus for1997"
(WT/ACC/BLR/5) envisaged themandatory formation ofinnovative funds byState-owned enterprises,
amalgamations andorganisations included intothesystem ofministries, other republican bodies of
State government, andState amalgamations formed bydecision oftheGovernment oftheRepublic
ofBelarus.
Theregulation ontheprocedure offormation anduseofresources ofinnovation funds does
notspecifically stipulates thisissue. Theallocation ofresources ofinnovative funds toforeign enterprises
hasnottaken place.
Question 100:
According totheMemorandum thefinancial responsibility ofenterprises willbefurther
strengthened through theimplementation oftheLaw onBankruptcy andoftheLaw on
Counteracting Monopolism andEncouraging Competition. What isthestatus ofimplementation
fortheBankruptcy andMonopolism laws? According toWT/ACC/BLR/l/Add.1, theLaw"On
Counteracting Monopoly Activities onEncouraging Competition" appears tohave beenenacted
on10December 1992. Please explain whythislawhasnotyetbeenimplemented andtheproposed
timetable foritsrealization.
Answer:
TheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnEconomic Insolvency andBankruptcy" waspassed
bytheSupreme Council oftheRepublic ofBelarus on30May1991 (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1). The
Lawcame intoforce asfrom1July1991. ThisLawwasamended andsupplemented on17June1993
and18January 1994.
TheLaw oftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnCounteracting Monopolistic Activities and
Development ofCompetition" waspassed bytheSupreme Council oftheRepublic ofBelarus on
10December 1992 (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1). TheLawcame intoforce asfrom 1March 1993.
InconformitywiththeaboveLawandforthepurposeoflimitation,suppressionandprevention
ofmonopolistic activities aswellasforthefacilitation ofdevelopment ofcompetition, theState
Committee onAnti-Monopoly Policy oftheRepublic ofBelarus wasformed. Atthepresent timethe
Ministry ofEntrepreneurship andInvestments isresponsible tocarry outtheStatepolicy onlimitation
ofmonopoly anddevelopment ofcompetition. TheGovernment oftheRepublic ofBelarus andthe
departments have passed regulatory actsthatdetermine issues ofanti-monopoly regulation and
development ofcompetition.
ThedraftlawsoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OntheManager intheProcedure ofBankruptcy",
"OnSanetion" andofthenewlaw"OnBankruptcy (Economic Insolvency)" havebeendeveloped.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page44
Question 101:
According totheresponse toQuestion 81ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, sofarnoindustries have been
declared bankrupt, butanumber offirms arenolonger operating? Intheabsence ofan
implemented "Law onBankruptcy", howwere creditors ofthese firms repaid? What happens
tothese firms 'assets?
Answer:
Compensation tothecreditors ispaidinaccordance with thecurrent legislation "On
Enterprises", "OnJoint-Stock Companies, Limited Companies andAdditional Liability Companies",
which stipulates theorder ofliquidation andreorganisation ofenterprises andtheorder ofcomplying
withclaims ofcreditors.
Question 102:
According totheMemorandum, credits from foreign governments thatareguaranteed bythe
Belorussian Government areallocated toenterprises byaspecial interministerial commission on
thebasis ofproject proposals orbusiness plans. In1995and1996, what amounts ofsuchforeign
government-source credits wereallocated toBelorussian enterprise? Which foreign governments
were thelargest contributors ofthese credits?
Answer:
BelorussianenterprisesreceivedforeigncreditsthatareguaranteedbyBelorussianGovernment
intheamount ofUS$157.7 million in1995 andUS$50.9 million in1996.
Themain creditors in1995 and1996 weretheGovernments ofGermany, Russia, Austria
andSwitzerland.
Question 103:
What product sectors received thefivelargest shares ofthese foreign government-source credits?
Which enterprises received thetenlargest shares ofthese credits? What percentage ofthetotal
investment funds distributed in1995andin1996werereceived byenterprise inwhich theRepublic
ofBelarus retains atleasta25percentinterest?
Answer:
Thegreatest shares ofcredits werereceived byenterprises ofthepetroleum andchemical
complex (about 40percent), machine-building industry (about 22.5percent), roadconstruction (about
10.5percent), agriculture andfood(about 5.5percent) andlightindustry (about 4percent).
Thefollowing enterprises received thegreatest shares ofcredits:WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page45
Name ofenterprise Amount ofcredit (million US$) Share in%
Mozyr OilRefinery 44.41 19.90
Belavtostrada 23.07 10.34
Minsk Tractor Plant 22.78 10.21
"BelTelecom" 17.21 7.71
Mogilev PA"Khimvolokno" 15.62 7.00
"Belshina" 15.00 6.72
"Integral" 10.00 4.48
Rudensk Plant ofPlastic Products 9.88 4.43
Minsk Automobile Plant 5.30 2.37
Confectionery Enterpise"Vitba" 5.02 2.25
Question 104:
What criteria isconsidered bytheInterministerial Commission indetermining which enterprises
receive thecredits? Who participates ontheInterministerial Commission? Dotheforeign
governments have anyinput astowhich enterprise receive thecredits? Areexport production,
generationoffreely-convertiblecurrencyorimportsubstitutionconsideredasfactorsindetermining
which enterprises receive credits?
Answer:
TheIntergovernmental Commission considers thefollowing criteria toselect projects for
financing attheexpense offunds offoreign credits:
- currency recoupment,
- ability oftheborrower torepay thedemanded amount ofcredit,
- social andeconomic importance oftheproject implementation.
TheCurrency andCredit Commission includes:
- thePrime-Minister oftheRepublic ofBelarus, thefirstdeputy Prime-Minister, deputies
ofthePrime-Minister, theManager oftheCredit andInvestment Administration ofthe
Ministry ofForeign Economic Relations, theChairman oftheManagerial Board ofthe
National Bank, theHead oftheDepartment ofInternational Economic Relations ofthe
Ministry ofForeign Affairs, theDeputy Head oftheDepartment ofEconomic Security of
theState Secretariat oftheSecurity Council oftheRepublic ofBelarus, theChairman of
theCommittee ofState Control, theDeputy Chairman oftheCouncil ofDirectors ofthe
Joint-Stock Commercial Bank forForeign Economic Activities, theChairman ofBoard of
theOpen Joint-Stock Company "Saving Bank-Belarusbank", theHead oftheMain
Administration oftheInspection ofCurrency Control ofthecommittee ofState Control,
theMinister ofFinance, theMinister ofAgriculture andFood, theMinister ofIndustry,
theDeputy Minister ofForeign Affairs, theDeputy Minister ofEconomics, theHead of
theSector ofEconomic Legislation oftheLegal Department oftheAdministration ofthe
Council ofMinisters, theHead oftheAdministration ofForeign Economic Activities and
International Co-operation oftheAdministration oftheCouncil ofMinisters.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page46
InaccordancewiththeProcedureofprovisionofforeigncreditsguaranteedbytheGovernment
oftheRepublic ofBelarus thatwasregistered on5February 1996, enterprises thatmanufacture products
forexport/substitution ofimport donotenjoy privileges incomparison withother enterprises.
Question 105:
Areforeign-owned businesses inBelarus eligible toreceive foreign government-source credits?
Howmany foreign-owned businesses received suchcredits in1995and1996andinwhatamounts?
Answer:
Foreign-ownedbusinessesinBelarusareeligibletoreceiveforeigngovernment-sourcecredits.
In1995 foreign-owned businesses received suchcredits inamount ofUS$3.86 million.
Question 106:
Aretheforeign government-sourced credits made available toBelorussian enterprises pursuant
tomarket interest rates orrepayment terms? Please describe fullyanypreferential terms provided
withthese credits.
Answer:
ForeigngovernmentalcreditsareprovidedtoBelorussianenterprisesonpreferentialconditions,
asarule,attheinterest rateapplied tothecredit agreement (equal about 8percentwiththemarket
rateforcurrency credits ofabout 20percent).
Preferences thatshould bementioned inconnection withthereceipt oftheabove credits
include thefollowing:
- Decree No.6ofthePresident oftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnRegulation ofAllocation of
Preferences toLegal andPhysical Persons oftheRepublic ofBelarus onTaxes andCustoms
Payments" dated 10May1997 established thatgoods designed forproduction purposes
imported bylegalpersons intothecustoms territory oftheRepublic ofBelarus bycontracts
thepayment forwhich payments aremade attheexpense offoreign credits allocated under
guarantees oftheGovernment oftheRepublic ofBelarus shall beexempted from the
value-added tax,customs duties andexcise;
- Decree No.311ofthePresident oftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnFurther Regulation of
Procedures ofMandatory SaleofForeign Currency" dated 2June1997 envisages the
cancellation ofmandatory saleofforeign currency received onaccounts oflegalpersons
andentrepreneurswhohavedebtsoncreditsonforeigncurrencyallocatedbyforeigncreditors
andtransferred toaspecial account forthepurpose ofaccumulation ofcurrency funds for
repayment oftheabove credits andpayment ofinterests onthem.
Question 107:
Does theGovernment ofBelarus provide freeorreduced-cost energy supplies toanyenterprises
operating inBelarus? Please describe fully theenergy subsidy system, including identification
oftheenterprises eligible forthesubsidies andtheconditions theymust satisfy inorder toreceive
thesubsidies?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page47
Answer:
Energy resources arenotprovided tousers intheRepublic freeofcharge.
Tariff policy onnatural gasandenergy (electrical andthermal) intheRepublic ofBelarus
isimplemented withdueaccount oftheexisting practice ofthesocalled "cross subsidisation" of
preferential users (mainly population) attheexpense ofother users (mainly industrial users).
IV.3(b) Technical barriers totrade
Question 108:
What practical steps isBelarus taking/planning totaketoprepare fortheaccession totheTBT
Agreement?
Answer:
Itisplanned tocarry outthework oncreation in1998-1999 ofanational information centre
inconformity withtherequirements oftheAgreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade.
Question 109:
Could Belarus please provide anoverview ofregulations relating todifferent products/product
areas.
Answer:
Thelegislativebasisthatregulatestheissuesinthesphereofcertificationofproductsincludes:
- the"Law onProtection oftheConsumer Rights" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) thatdefines
(Article 13)"therightoftheconsumer forsafety goods": goods forwhich thelegislation
andtechnical documentation haveestablished requirements onassurance ofsafety forlife,
health orproperty ofconsumers, protection oftheenvironment shallbeliable tomandatory
certification intheNational System ofcertification withafollow-up marking using amark
ofcompliance withsuchrequirements;
- the"Law onCertification ofProducts, Work andServices" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)
establishes legalgrounds formandatory andvoluntary certification intheBelarus, therights,
dutiesandresponsibilitiesofparticipantsincertificationandregulateslegalrelationshiparising
intheprocess ofcertification;
- documents thatestablish thenomenclature ofproducts liable tomandatory certification in
theRepublic ofBelarus;
- Resolution No.635oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated
22September 1993;
- ResolutionNo.260oftheCabinetofMinistersoftheRepublicofBelarusdated16April1996
(WT/ACC/BLR/5);
- Resolution No.447oftheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated 7May1997.
These documents havebeensubmitted earlier totheWTO Secretariat.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page48
Question 110:
Aretechnical regulations inBelarus based onproduct requirements interms ofperformance or
ondesign anddescriptive characteristics?
Answer:
Generally, ifitisnotconnected withnorms ofhuman lifeorhealth safety, environmental
protection, standards contains terms ofproduction operation, butnotrequirements toitsconstruction
anddesign.
Question 111:
Arethestandards usedinBelarus voluntary ormandatory; ifmandatory, could Belarus please
state therationale behind this?
Answer:
Seeanswers toQuestions 113and117.
Question 112:
HasBelarus theintention ofgradually moving from theuseofGOST-standards totheuseof
International standards; ifso,what isthetimetable andthepriorities forthischange-over?
Answer:
Seeanswers 118and120.
Theannual program ofState standardisation envisages theuseofabout teninternational
standards inaverage. Thepriority isgiven tostandards thatestablish standards ofproducts safety for
lifeandhealth ofcitizens, protection oftheenvironment, standards thatestablish progressive methods
oftesting andcontrol andstandards inthesphere ofquality control.
Question 113:
Could Belarus please provide more in-depth information ontheprocedures andrequirements
connected withthemandatory andthevoluntary system ofcertification.
Answer:
Mandatory certification ofproducts andservices intheRepublic ofBelarus isexercised on
thebasis oflegalactsandgovernmental resolutions oftheRepublic ofBelarus according toindices
thatsecure safety forlifeandhealth ofthepeople andprotection oftheenvironment established in
regulatory documents inforced inBelarus.
Voluntary certification ofproducts isexecuted ontheinitiative ofthemanufacturer, consumer
orsupplier ofproducts andthenomenclature ofindices specified bythem.
Mandatory andvoluntary certification intheRepublic ofBelarus isexecuted inconformity
withthestandards oftheNational System ofCertification oftheRepublic ofBelarus thathavebeen
developed withdueaccount oftherequirements oftheEuropean standards EN45001, EN45002, EN
45003, EN45011, EN45012, EN45013 andEN45014.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page49
Plans ofcertification usedintheSystem arebased onplans adopted inISOassupplemented
bythedeclaration ontheproduct compliance adopted intheEuropean Union (EU)asanelement used
bythemanufacturer (supplier) toconfirm theproducts compliance withtheestablished requirements
aswellastaking intoaccount themodular approach ofcompliance assessment usedintheEU.
Certification ofproducts isexecuted bybodies oncertification ofuniform products accredited
intheNational System ofCertification oftheRepublic ofBelarus. Tests forthepurpose ofcertification
areexecuted byverification andtestlaboratories accredited intheSystem ofaccreditation ofverification
andtesting laboratories oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Certification ofdomestic andimported products isexecuted using thesame rules and
procedures excluding discrimination.
TheNational System ofCertification oftheRepublic ofBelarus recognises certificates issued
inthenational system ofcertification ofthecountry thatismember totheagreement onmutual
recognition ofcertificates forproducts manufactured inthiscountry.
Certification isexecuted inrelation todomestic andforeign products manufacture thathave
information inoneofthenational languages (Belorussian orRussian) inconformity withthelegislation
oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Products which aresubject tomandatory certification shallbecleared inthecustoms ifthere
isacompliance certificate oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Question 114:
HasBelarus developed aquality assurance system? Could Belarus please provide further
information onthissystem oronanyplans todevelop suchasystem?
Answer:
Atpresent there isnosystem ofassurance ofquality intheRepublic ofBelarus.
Aguideline document isbeing prepared onthisissue.
Question 115:
Could Belarus alsoplease provide further information onitsaccreditation system?
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 114.
Question 116:
Itisreported thatadecree provides that75percentofthegoods onsaleinallBelarus stores
must belocally produced. Isthisreport accurate? Ifyes,howistheDecree implemented? How
would Belarus justify suchaprovision under WTO rules?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page50
Answer:
Twenty fivepercentlevelofavailability inthetradesystem ofimported industrial andfood
goods isestablished notbyadecree ofthePresident butbyadecision oftheBoard oftheMinistry
ofTrade (Protocol No.11dated 19July1996). These requirements cover onlysome tradeenterprises
asagreed withtheRegion Executive Committees andMinsk CityExecutive Committee.
Thismeasure istemporary andwillbeabolished uponaccession oftheRepublic ofBelarus
toWTO.
Question 117:
Doallagricultural imports require certification before importation? Ifyes,could youprovide
detailedinformationregardingthecertificationprocessforbothdomesticandimportedagricultural
products, including thespecific criteria applied ingranting thecertification?
Answer:
No.Inconformity withtheListofProducts Liable toMandatory Certification intheRepublic
ofBelarus mandatory certification isapplied tochildren ’sfoodstuff, preserved products from meat,
fish, crustacean, molluscs andother aqueous invertebrate, caviar andcaviar substitutes, canned
vegetables, mushrooms, fruitandberries, juice, beverages, syrups, preserved spices; canned milk,
butter, hardcheese; smoked sausages; honey, coffee, tea,cacao, vegetable oil,sugar, confectionery,
salt,allkinds ofalcoholic andnon-alcoholic beverages.
Requirements tomandatory certification ofsuchgoods concern bothimported anddomestic
products.
TheprocedureofcertificationofproductsisdeterminedinthestandardoftheNationalSystem
ofCertification STB5.1.04-96 "Procedure ofCertification ofProducts. General Requirements."
Certification ofdomestic andimported products ismade according tothesame rules.
Themain principles ofcertification ofproducts arebased ontheperformance oftesting of
apatch ofproducts forsafety indices whereas certification ofmass-scale production products onthe
basis ofassessment oftheproduction condition aswell.
Question 118:
Please indicate theprovisions ofBelarus 'laworregulation itsstandards andinspection regime
thatimplement eachArticle oftheWTO TBT Agreement. Please describe indetail anyaspects
ofBelarus 'standards andinspection regime thatarecurrently deficient andthesteps Belarus
istaking orwilltaketoremedy thedeficiency prior toWTO accession.
Answer:
TheAgreement onTechnical Barriers inTrade (Article 4)demands thatcentral bodies of
standardisation (theState Committee onStandardisation, Metrology andCertification inBelarus -
"Gosstandard" orBelst ininternational organisation) should fulfiltheCode ofestablished practice on
thedevelopment, approval andapplication ofstandards. TheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "On
Standardisation" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) takes intoaccount allrequirements oftheCode.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page51
Thestandards donotinclude reservations astomorefavoured treatment ofdomestic products
ascompared toanalogous products ofother countries.
Theadopted procedure forthedevelopment ofstandards assures themaximum useof
international standards. Reviewing draftstandards ofISO/IEC enterprises andorganisations submit
atthestage ofdraftdocuments totheState Committee onStandardisation proposals onexpediency
ofapplication ofsuchstandards.
Notification onthebeginning ofawork onthedevelopment ofstandards ispublished in
theSupplement totheJournal oftheState Committee onStandardisation "News. Standardisation.
Certification".
In1997, theState Committee onStandardisation became member oftheISONET.
There isaninterval ofatleastsixmonths between thedateofadoption andintroduction
ofastandard thatisdesigned forthepublication andperformance byusers ofpreparatory actions for
thetransition tothenewstandard.
Untiladoption, draftstandards shallpassthrough anall-round discussion andshallbeadopted
onthebasis ofconsent byallparties concerned.
Technicallegislationisatthestageofdevelopment,howeveralreadyinforcearethefollowing
laws"OnProtectionofConsumerRights"(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1),"OnSanitaryandEpidemiological
Welfare ofthePopulation", "OnFireSafety", "OnStandardisation" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1), "On
Certification", "OnSecuring theUniformity ofMeasurements" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1), andothers.
Theabove lawsareaimed, firstofall,atsecuring safety ofproducts, work andservices forthe
environment, life,health andproperty ofcitizens. Inthenearest future, aseries ofbillswillbepresented
regarding specific groups ofproducts andtypesofproduction. Among themaretheLaw"OnRegulation
ofProduction, Circulation andUseofAlcoholic Products".
Asregards Statestandards oftheRepublic ofBelarus, inaccordance withtheLawofBelarus
"OnCertification ofProducts, Work andServices" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) therequirements ofthe
standards havebeenmade mandatory inrelation totheproducts safety.
Question 119:
Please indicate thenumber ofcases, inthepastthree years, inwhich theGovernment ofBelarus
hasdenied orsignificantly delayed entry offoreign goods onthegrounds thatthegood didnot
satisfy regulations onstandards, measurement orquality, orwerenotcorrectly documented under
suchregulation. Please provide general descriptions ofthemost significant problems thatforeign
goods have encountered insatisfying standards requirements.
Answer:
Inpractical work ofthebodies ofcertification offoodandagricultural products, therehave
beencases when certificates ofcompliance havebeendenied forimported products.
Forexample, natural ground coffee, tea,canned fish,instant coffee, etc.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page52
Question 120:
Does Belstandart publish andcirculate draft standards forcomments atleast60daysinadvance
offinalization? Ifnot,please indicate thesteps Belarus istaking tomeet thisrequirement ofthe
WTO TBT Agreement. Please describe theprocedures usedbyBelstandart toensure thatpublic
notice ofdraft standards forcomment isprovided toallparties. How longistheperiod for
comments ondraft standards, technical regulations andconformity assessment procedures?
Answer:
Article4oftheLawoftheRepublicofBelarus"OnStandardisation"(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)
describes therules fortheexecution ofwork onstandardisation. This provision oftheLaw is
implemented onsixstandards ofthenational system ofstandardisation. Specific requirements tothe
development ofstandards, theiragreement, approval, registration andpublication aredetermined in
oneofthestandards ofthissystem, i.e.,inSTB2-96.
Thefinalwording ofthedraft standard must besubmitted totheState Committee on
Standardisation foradoption notlaterthan6months before theprojected dateofthestandard adoption.
Together withthefinalwording ofthedraftstandard shallbesubmitted allresponses obtained
intheprocess ofdevelopment andother documents thatjustify thegrounded nature oftherequirements
introduced intothestandard.
Thestandard must beadopted onlyonthebasis ofmutual consent reached byallparties
concerned.
Aspecificfeatureofthenationalsystemofstandardisationistheopportunityofdirect(without)
application ofstandards adopted bytheInter-State Council onStandardisation, Metrology and
Certification,i.e.,standardsabbreviatedasGOST.Draftstandards(GOST)developedbytheCISmember
States included intotheInter-State Council onStandardisation, Metrology andCertification shallpass
through theprocedures thatareanalogous totheirowndevelopments. Inparticular, drafts ofsuch
standards shallbereviewed byallparties concerned. According totheestablished rules theprocess
ofreview must notexceed three months.
Onexpiration ofthisperiod theStateCommittee onStandardisation mustforward intothe
National body onstandardisation ofthedeveloping stateabulletin forvoting thatshould reflect the
stand ofBelarus. Apositive decision onjoining theGOST draftshallbetaken onthebasisofconsent
ofallparties concerned.
Originals ofstandards, thedocuments thataccompany theprocess ofdevelopment including
responses, remarks andconclusions onthedraftstandards shallbekeptbytheState Committee on
Standardisation.
Question 121:
Dothelawsorregulations direct Belstandart orother agencies toconsider theuseofappropriate
international standards when theyaredrafting standards? Please outline theprocess bywhich
standards aredeveloped inBelarus?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page53
Answer:
Article5oftheLawoftheRepublicofBelarus"OnStandardisation"(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)
stipulates thattherequirements established bystandards must bebased onmodern achievements of
science, technology andinternational standards.
Implementation oftheabove requirements, theSTB1.2-96 stipulates theexpertise ofthe
standard from theposition ofinclusion intoitofrequirements ofinternational standards.
According toArticle 8oftheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnStandardisation" Belarus
canuseinternational standards, norms andrules. Methods oftheirapplication aredetermined inthe
standards oftheState system ofstandardisation andareinfullagreement withtherules developed
byISO/IES.
Oneofthewaysforexpansion ofthenumber ofapplied international standards istheincrease
ofthenumber ofentities thatparticipate inthework ofthetechnical committees (sub-committees) of
ISO,IEC.
Question 122:
How arefinal standards andtechnical regulations published inanofficial gazette orotherwise
notified tothepublic? Howareimporters notified ofdraft standards orchanges inthetechnical
regulations?
Answer:
TheLawoftheRepublicofBelarus"OnStandardisation"(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)(Article9),
states thattheofficial information onstandards anditsadoption must betransparent. Within the
frameworks ofthisrequirements, theState Committee onStandardisation hascreated asystem of
information onregulatory documents onstandardisation.
Information about eachadopted standard oramendment toitshallbeincluded intotheofficial
publication oftheStateCommittee onStandardisation thatistheInformation Directory ofStandards,
andtheblank order toit.Thispublication ispublished every twomonths.
Question 123:
TheWTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade requires thepublication inadvance of
implementation forcomment byinterested parties, ofconformity assessment procedures and
announcementsofdraftstandardsandtechnicalregulations.DoesBelstandartpublish,forcomment
byinterested parties, conformity assessment procedures andannouncements ofdraft standards
andtechnical regulations?
Answer :
Seeanswer toquestion 120.
Question 124:
Belarus should complete thestatement ofimplementation required bytheAgreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade andsubmit itindraft forreview bytheWorking Party.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page54
Answer:
Thestatement shallbesubmitted.
IV.3(c) Sanitary andphytosanitary measures
Question 125:
Please provide translated copies oftheLawon"Protection ofHealth" of18June 1993, theLaw
on"Veterinary Activity", of2December 1994, andtheLawon"Protection ofPlants" totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
AcopyoftheLawoftheRepublicofBelarus"OnVeterinaryPractice"isenclosed.Asregards
theLaw"OnProtection ofPlants", itisatthestage ofdevelopment.
Question 126:
According totheMemorandum, theBelorussian national legislation isbased onthenorms and
standards oftheWTO Agreement ontheApplication ofSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures,
theCodex Alimentarius, andtheInternational Convention onQuarantine andProtection ofPlants.
Which international standards doesBelarus plantoadopt? Arethenorms outlined bytheCodex
Alimentarius (CODEX), theOrganization ofInternational Epizootics, andtheEuropean Plant
Protection Organization? What aretheGovernment ofBelarus 'plans forimplementing the
harmonized sanitary andphytosanitary measures developed bytheCodex Alimentarius
Commission?
Answer:
Phytosanitary control overproducts imported intoorexported fromterritory oftheRepublic
ofBelarus andliable toquarantine control isexecuted instrict conformity withinternational standards
onquarantine andprotection ofplants.
Atpresent, asingle procedure isbeing developed fortheapplication oftechnical,
pharmacological,sanitary,veterinary,phytosanitaryandecologicalstandardsandrequirementsinrelation
togoods imported intocustoms territories oftheStates Members oftheCustoms Union.
Question 127:
According tothere response toQuestion 92ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, Belarus isimposing stricter
standards onsanitary andphytosanitary measures thanthose setoutbayinternational standards
organizations. Please identify allproducts, including HSnumbers, thataresubject tostricter
sanitary andphytosanitary measures thanaresetoutbyinternational standards organizations.
Foreach such product, please describe howtheBelorussian standard ismore strict than the
international standard anthescientific basis forimposing amore restrictive standard.
Answer:
There isnotanyplantproducts inrelation towhich phytosanitary measures areapplied that
would bemore severe thaninother countries. Thebasic requirement applied tothesupplied plant
products isabsence ofquarantine organisms thathavequarantine importance forthecountry.
Asregards veterinary andsanitary requirements, seeanswer 126.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page55
Thecomparisonofanalysisofparameters(indices)ofhygienicsafetyofproductsmanufactured
inthemajority ofEuropean countries inrelation toanalogous onesinforce intheRepublic ofBelarus
shows thatinthemajority ofcases (over 90percent) theycoincide orhaveslight variations thatdo
notpresent anyhazard tothehealth oftheconsumers.
Question 128:
According totheresponse toQuestion 91ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, Belarus noted thatitmaybe
necessary tophase intheapplication oftheSPSAgreement overatransition period starting from
thedateofaccessiontotheWTO,becausetheveterinaryandphytosanitaryknowledgeandtechnical
infrastructure aretobestrengthened.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 129
Question 129:
Belarus applied forGATT Accession in1993. IthasbeenintheWTO accession process forover
twoyears. Belarus should betaking unilateral measures toadopt WTO provisions without waiting
tocomplete itsaccession process. Inthatmanner, the"phase in"period sought byBelarus could
besubstantially completed prior toaccession. Please identify anyprovisions oftheSPSAgreement
forwhich Belarus intends toseekatransition period fortheimplementation oftheWTO SPS
Agreement. Would suchtransitions beproduct specific? Ifso,please listallproducts, including
HSnumbers, forwhich theRepublic ofBelarus seeks atransition, andforeachsuchproduct,
please describe thespecific reason thatatransitional period mayberequire.
Answer:
Inview oftheabsence ofsufficient technical (special) veterinary knowledge, technical
infrastructure, international standards, prescriptions orrecommendations thatareapplied bytheWTO
countries asconditions ofimport thatwillnotallow theveterinary service oftheRepublic ofBelarus
tofulfil fullytherequirements oftheWTO, andinconformity withArticle 5(7)ofWTO Agreement
ontheApplication ofSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures, theMinistry ofAgriculture andFoodthinks
itexpedient topostpone theapplication oftheArticle 3oftheabove-mentioned Agreement forthe
period of5years from thedateofentry intotheWTO inrelation tothefollowing listofgoods that
areliable totheState veterinary supervision:
Listofcargo Code HS
Animals ofallspecies 01
Meat andmeatby-products 02
Fishandfishproducts 03
Milk products; eggsofpoultry; natural honey; animal foodproducts 04
Animal products 05
Remnants andwaste offoodindustry; ready fodder foranimals 23
Phytosanitary control overalltypes ofproducts thatcanbevectors ofpests anddiseases
ofplants andweeds isexecuted intheRepublic inconformity withtheinternational requirements.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page56
Question 130:
HastheGovernment ofBelarus published allsanitary andphytosanitary regulations which have
been adopted? Ifso,where cantraders findthem?
Answer:
Thelistofproducts subject tothecontrol bytheState veterinary service published bythe
republican newspapers in1996. Thelistofproducts subject tothecontrol byStateoffice onquarantine
ofplants (Belorussian State quarantine office) waspublished inthenewspaper "Respublika" on
16April 1997.
Inaccordance withtheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnSanitary andEpidemic Welfare
ofthePopulation" allsanitary andhygienic standards andrules shallbeputintoeffect byrelevant
decrees oftheChief StateSanitary Doctor andshallbepublished inRepublican newspapers orin"News"
published theBelorussian State Institute ofStandardisation andCertification.
Businessmen canreceive theabove mentioned standards without anydifficulties from the
Ministry ofHealth orfrom theRepublican Centre ofHygiene andEpidemiology.
Question 131:
Dotheprocedures followed inimplementing Belarus 'sanitary andphytosanitary regime conform
fully with therequirements provided inAnnex CoftheWTO Agreement onSanitary and
Phytosanitary Measures? Please identify anddescribe anydeficiencies.
Answer:
Theprocedure ofimplementation ofsanitary andphytosanitary regime inBelarus meets the
requirements forcontrol, inspection andapproval procedures, including procedures forsampling, testing
andcertification, asindicated inAnnex CtotheWTO Agreement ontheApplication ofSanitary and
Phytosanitary Measures.
Question 132:
According totheMemorandum, SPScertificates mustbeobtained prior toimportation forarather
extensive number ofproducts, including imports ofallkinds ofwastes, second-hand products,
products whose validity isabout toexpire, allplants andplant products, allanimals andanimal
products, foodstuffs, foodadditives andpreserving agents, materials incontact withfoodstuff,
children 'sgoods, materials usedinwater supply systems, chemicals applied toskin, cosmetic and
perfume items, petrochemicals forindustrial andhousehold use,chemical products foragricultural
sector,includingfertilizer,polymericandsyntheticmaterials,fibresandthreads,syntheticmaterials
andtextile items usedtomake footwear, machines andother technological equipment forindustrial
andone-industrial use.Arethere plans toreduce theexceptionally large number ofmandatory
SPSstandards?
Answer:
Thisissue isbeing studied.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page57
Question 133:
Please prepare aschedule, tobesubmitted totheWTO Secretariat prior tothenextWorking
Party meeting, which identifies allproducts including HSnumbers, subject toSPScertification.
Foreachproduct ontheschedule, please indicate whether ornottheGovernment ofBelarus has
established thescientific basis forthecertification requirement. Alsoplease indicate, foreach
product, whether theGovernment ofBelarus hasconducted riskassessments toestablish the
necessity formaintaining themeasures.
Answer:
Aschedule willbesubmitted totheWTO Secretariat prior tothenextWorking Party.
Question 134:
Please provide specific details onsanitary andphytosanitary requirements forallcategories of
imported animal andplant products. Please indicate which ofthese standards aremore trade
restrictive thancorresponding international standards.
Answer:
Therequirements andstandards applied inBelarus inthesphere ofphytosanitary limitthe
trade inplant products notmore thanthose determined byinternational standards.
Forexample, foodandfodder grain contaminated withquarantine weeds isallowed for
importation intotheRepublic because thisproduct islateronusedinspecific regimes thatareestablished
ontheterritory oftheRepublic. Also, phytosanitary limitations havebeenremoved fromother kinds
ofplant products, especially iftheyaredesigned forindustrial processing.
Strict phytosanitary requirements areapplied toseedandplantation materials contaminated
withquarantine objects.
Questionsconnectedwithsanitaryandphytosanitaryrequirementsforallcategoriesofimported
products ofanimal andplantorigin aswellasprocedures applied toimported goods liable tomandatory
sanitary andphytosanitary certification areregulated byspecial legalacts.
When goods arecleared customs bodies require apermit ofbodies oftheMinistry of
Agriculture andFood orofanother competent body about thecompliance ofthecleared goods with
thesanitary, phytosanitary andother requirements.
Question 135:
Where domestic standards aremore restrictive thaninternational standards, isBelarus prepared
toprovide objective scientific justification forthediscrepancy?
Answer:
Belorussian standards arenotmore restrictive thaninternational standards.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page58
Question 136:
Please provide alistofallquarantine pests. Areanyofthese pests established inBelarus? Ifso,
please describe anymeasures thathave been taken tocontrol these pests domestically.
Answer:
Thelistofquarantine objects fortheRepublic ofBelarus thatareregistered onitsterritory
isenclosed (SeeAnnex 5).
Question 137:
Forproducts subject tomandatory sanitary orphytosanitary certification, areimporters required
toapply forsuchcertification foreachindividual shipment? Arethere provisions forlonger-term
certification, perhaps subject toself-declaration andrandom inspection? Ifso,towhich products
dosuchprovisions apply?
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 134.
Question 138:
Forimported products subject tomandatory shipment-by-shipment sanitary ofphytosanitary
certification requirements, what procedures areused toensure thatdomestic producers ofthe
same products alsocomply withtherelevant standards? Forsuchproducts, aredomestic producers
required tocertify compliance withmandatory standards foreachex-factory shipment?
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 134
Question 139:
Please describe your SPSregime intheform ofaresponse totheQuestionnaire onTechnical
Barriers toTrade found inWT/ACC/l.
Answer:
Theresponse totheQuestionnaire onTechnical Barriers toTrade isenclosed. (SeeAnnex 8)
IV.3(d) Trade-related investment measures
Question 140:
Belarus sated intheMemorandum thatthere areatpresent notrade-related investment measures.
Doesauthority existinBelorussian lawtoapply suchmeasures, whether atthecentral orsubcentral
level? Ifso,please citetheauthority andprovide atranslated copyofitforWorking Party review.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page59
Answer:
Atpresent, Belarus hasnoTRIMS, neither does ithave anylegal authority fortheir
application.
IV.3(e) State-trading practices
Question 141:
Please describe theStatemonopolies Belaruskaliy (potassium fertilizer) andBelpishcheprom (beer,
spirits andtobacco products) intheform ofaresponse totheQuestionnaire onState Trading
found inWT/ACC/l.
Answer :
TheBelaruskaliy isincluded intoSection IIoftheState Register ofentities which havedominant
position ontheRepublican commodity market whose activities ontheproduction ofmineral fertilisers
arebeing supervised bytheState.
Today, theProduction Amalgamation (PA) "Belaruskaliy" produces about halfofallpotassium
fertilisers intheCISwhereas itsshare intheworld production constitutes about 20percent.
The"Belaruskaliy" produces awiderange ofproducts: fromhigh-concentration potassium
fertilisers tospecial products suchasmixed salts, ground silvinite andtechnical salt.Itsproduction
range alsoincludes high-efficiency chlorine-free potassium fertilisers -potassium sulphate.
Theoperation indices oftheProduction Amalgamation (PA)"Belaruskaliy" for1996 are:
- theproduction volume was4,514,875 kg;
- products total: 4,339,237 kgincluding 667,908 kgwithin theRepublic.
TheBelorussianStateConcern"Belgospishcheprom"(foodproducts)wasregisteredintheRepublican
Register atnumber 18,030 bydecision oftheMinsk CityExecutive Committee dated 26May1997,
No.437.
TheConcern includes eight entities:
- Minsk Plant ofChampaign Wines;
- Grodno Tobacco Factory;
- Minsk Confectionery "Slodych";
- Experimental Mechanical Plant "Pishchemash";
- Gomel FatCombined Enterprise oftheRedBanner Order ofLabour;
- Belorussian Design andTechnological Institute ofFood Industry;
- Pukhovichi Food Combined Enterprise;
- State Enterprise "Minsk Printing House ofMinistry ofAgriculture andFood".
Atpresent, Section IIoftheStateRegister ofentities thathavedominant position ontheRepublican
commodity market whose activities aresupervised bytheState includes:
- Minsk Plant ofChampaign Wines (production ofsparkling wines);
- Gomel FatCombined Enterprise (production ofwashing andtoilet soap);
- Pukhovichi Food Combined Enterprise production offruitandberry wine).WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page60
Section IIIoftheState Register includes:
- Grodno Tobacco Factory (production ofcigarettes );
- Gomel FatCombined Enterprise (production ofmargarine andmayonnaise products).
TheGovernment hasestablished control overtheseentities aswellasregulation ofsome parameters
oftheiractivities including prices.
Theother entities thataremembers oftheBelorussian StateConcern "Belgospishcheprom" arenot
monopolists onrelevant spheres ofcommodity markets.
Question 142:
According totheresponse toQuestion 96ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, Belarus willprovide anexhaustive
listofState-trading enterprises bywayofcompleting arelevant questionnaire tobesubmitted
totheWTO Secretariat. What isthestatus ofthepreparation ofthisquestionnaire? How may
entities doestheGovernment ofBelarus intend tolist?
Answer:
ThisQuestionnaire willbesubmitted totheWTO Secretariat.
Question 143:
Please provide information requested inthequestionnaire onthissubject.
Answer:
Seeanswer toquestion 142.
IV.3(f) Freeeconomic zones
Question 144:
Please provide atranslated copy ofPresidential Decree No.114of20March 1996 "OnFree
Economic Zones (FEZ) intheTerritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus" totheWTO Secretariat for
review bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Enclosed. Inaddition, weenclose theregulation ontheFreeEconomic Zone "Brest".
Question 145:
Alsoplease provide atranslated copy ofthedraft LawonFree Economic Zones totheWTO
Secretariat. What isthelegislative status ofthisdraft law?
Answer:
ThedraftLaw"OnFreeEconomic Zones" isatthestageofco-ordination withtheconcerned
ministries anddepartments.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page61
Question 146:
Please identify thelocations ofthefreeeconomic zones anddescribe follytheincentives available
toenterprise operating inthefreeeconomic zones. What isthecurrent status oftheproposals
toestablish freeeconomic zones inGrodno, Gomel andMinsk?
Answer:
Atpresent, intheRepublic ofBelarus there isonefreeeconomic zone"Brest" which was
organised in1996byDecree No.114ofthePresident oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated 20March 1996
"OnFreeEconomic Zones ontheTerritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus" (WT/ACC/BLR/5).
ThisZone borders ontheRepublic ofPoland, isadjacent totheCityofBrest andcovers
theareaofover651square kilometres where there isafirst-category international airport.
TheFreeEconomic Zone "Brest" islocated atthecross-roads ofwhich themostimportant
isthetransit corridor E-30 Berlin-Warsaw-Brest-Minsk-Moscow.
Preferences allotted toresidents oftheFreeEconomic Zone "Brest":
Foreign tradepreferences envisage theintroduction fortheresidents oftheZone ofaspecial
customs-tariff treatment (cancellation ofexport andimport duties) andasimplified procedure for
execution offoreign trade operations.
When goods areimported intotheterritory oftheFreeEconomic Zone theimport customs duty, the
value-added taxandtheexcise taxarenotlevied, measures ofeconomic policy arenotapplied, excise
stamps arenotrequired.
When goods areexported toother countries, thecustoms dutyandother payments arenotlevied with
theexception ofthecustoms clearance fees.
Products produced bytheresidents oftheFreeEconomic Zoneandexported fromtheZoneareexempted
from customs payments withtheexception ofthecustoms clearance fees.
Customs clearance feesarelevied attherateofoneminimum salary.
Taxpreferences include standards connected withthetaxstimulation ofspecific kinds of
production andeconomic activities. These preferences wererelated tothetaxation basis (profits and
costofproperty), theleveloftaxratesandissues oftaxexemption.
Residents oftheFreeEconomic Zone pay15percenttaxonprofits andincomes, theincome taxon
citizens, 10percentvalue-added tax,ecological tax,feesforsocial andState insurance, State duties
andfeesandexcise tax.
Enterprises -residents oftheZone whose activities areconsidered priority activities areexempted,
inaddition, from thepayment ofprofit taxandother taxes bythedecision oftheGovernment ofthe
Republic ofBelarus.
Residents oftheFreeEconomic Zone whosellgoods andservices oftheirownproduction areexempted
frompayment oftheprofit taxduring 5years fromthetimetheydeclare profit including thefirstyear
ofprofit.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page62
Residents whosupply notlessthan70percentoftheirproducts manufactured within theFreeEconomic
Zone forexport pay,during thesubsequent fiveyears, theprofit taxintheamount of50percentof
thetaxrate.
Dividends owned bytheresidents oftheFreeEconomic Zone arenotliable totaxation within five
years from thetimeofregistration.
Financial preferences envisage various forms ofsubsidies. Theyareprovided aslower prices
forcommunal services, reduced rental payment fortheuseoflandandproduction rooms, credits, etc.
Theamount ofrental feeforlandintheFreeEconomic Zone iswithin therange ofUS$0.5-0.8 per
square meter perannum for99years. Theamount oftherental feedepends onthevolume of
investments, nature ofproduction, category ofland, etc.
Residents oftheFreeEconomic Zone areexempted frommandatory saleattheInter-Bank Currency
Exchange offunds infreely convertible currency andinRussian roubles received fromexport ofgoods
ontheterritory oftheZone.
Foreign workers areguaranteed afreetransfer abroad ofincomes received bythem ontheterritory
oftheFreeEconomic Zone.
Administrative preference areprovided bytheAdministration oftheZone forthepurpose
ofsimplifying theprocedure ofregistration ofenterprises.
Atpresent, theAgency onthedevelopment oftheFreeEconomic Zone "Minsk" hasbeen
formed themain objective ofwhich isco-ordination ofwork performed bytheconcerned services of
theCityofMinsk andtheMinsk Region oncreation ofafreeeconomic zoneinthevicinity ofthe
township "National Airport "Minsk", thetownship Obchak andtheindustrial zone"Shabany".
Question 147:
Areforeign enterprise andforeign-owned enterprises allowed tooperate inthefreeeconomic zones
andtakefulladvantage oftheincentives available todomestic firms?
Answer:
Inaccordance withparagraphs 9and10oftheRegulation ontheFreeEconomic Zone"Brest"
thestatus ofthefreeeconomic zonecovers allresidents ofthisZone. Theresident oftheFreeEconomic
Zone "Brest" canbeaBelorussian and/or foreign physical person registered bytheAdministration.
Question 148:
For1995 and1996, what were thetotal revenues generated byfirms operating within thefree
economic zones?
Answer:
Thefirstresidents oftheFreeEconomic Zone "Brest" wereregistered onlyinearly 1997.
Below weprovide alistofresidents oftheFreeEconomic Zone "Brest" for31July1997.
Listofresidents ofFEZ"Brest" seeinAnnex 6.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page63
Question 149:
Aregoods soldintotherestofBelarus from thezones subject tothenormal tariff andnon-tariff
import measures applied toimports? Ifnot,whynot?Theimported components ofgoods produced
inthedutyfreezones subsequently soldintotherestofBelarus should besubject tothesame
taxes, tariffs, certification requirements, licences, andother non-tariff requirements applied to
direct imports.
Answer:
Ifimported components ofgoods produced intheduty-free zonearesufficiently processed
thegoods aretreated asproduced induty-free zoneandarenotsubject totaxation. Otherwise these
goods aresubject tothesame taxes, tariffs, certification requirements, licences, andother non-tariff
requirements applied todirect imports.
Question 150:
Please explain whytheSupreme Court isconsidering thelegislation forthefreeeconomic zones.
Answer:
TheSupreme Court isnotalegislative body. Inconformity withtheConstitution ofthe
Republic ofBelarus thelegislative body oftheRepublic ofBelarus istheParliament.
Question 151:
Please provide atranslated copyofthelegislation relating tothefreeeconomic zones totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Atranslated copyoftheDecree ofthePresident oftheRepublic ofBelarus No.114"On
FreeEconomic Zones intheTerritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus" dated 20March 1996 andthe
regulation ontheFreeEconomic Zone "Brest" areenclosed. (WT/ACC/BLR/5)
IV.3(k) Trade agreements leading tocountry-specific quotas allocation
Question 152:
According totheresponse toQuestion 78ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, intrade withRussia, Moldova,
Ukraine andUzbekistan, deliveries takeplace onthebasis ofbothdirect commercial contracts
andintergovernmental agreements.
Foreachcountry, whatpercentage ofimports andexports withthese countries takes place through
intergovernmental agreements?
Towhat extent isthetrade through intergovernmental agreements undertaken viabarter or
counter-trade transactions?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page64
Answer :
In1997, theRepublic ofBelarus didnotconclude inter-governmental tradeagreement with
Russia, Ukraine andUzbekistan. Inconformity withtheAgreement between theGovernment ofthe
Republic ofMoldova andtheGovernment oftheRepublic ofBelarus tradeandeconomic co-operation
isimplemented through contracts between entities.
Question 153:
According totheMemorandum, Belarus hasbilateral trade agreements withUkraine, Moldova
andUzbekistan thatprovide fordeliveries ofspecified quantities ofalimited number ofproducts.
Areimports under these agreements subject totariffs, taxes, andother import measures applied
toimports from third countries? Ifthere isadifference inapplication, please describe itindetail.
Answer :
Taxlegislation oftheRepublic ofBelarus does notinclude standards thatallow the
establishment ofspecific features oftaxation ofgoods supplied within theframework oftradeagreement
made. Inthisconnection, import ofproducts from Ukraine, Moldova andUzbekistan effected in
accordance withbilateral tradeagreements weresubject totaxation according tothegenerally established
procedure applied totheimport ofanyother products supplied from these countries.
Question 154:
Areanyofthese agreements fulfilled through barter arrangements?
Answer :
No.
Question 155:
Does Belarus have asimilar agreement withRussia?
Answer :
No.
Question 156:
According totheresponse toQuestion 105ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, itisforeseen thatthebilateral
trade agreements withUkraine, Moldova andUzbekistan willbediscontinued in1997. Have these
agreements been discontinued?
Answer :
SeeAnswer 152.
Question 157:
Please identify allproducts, including HSnumbers, andthequantities ofeachproduct thatBelarus
isobliged toimport andexport from eachofthese countries.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page65
Answer :
SeeAnswer 152.
Question 158:
HowdoestheGovernment ofBelarus ensure thatBelorussian enterprises satisfy theterms ofthese
agreements? Areallthebilateral agreements satisfied through theuseofState orders? Does the
Government mandate thattheenterprise purchase anyoftheproducts included inthese
agreements? DoestheGovernment provide favourable financing toenterprises purchasing products
subject tothese agreements? Please describe anyincentives usedbytheGovernment toencourage
itsenterprises tosellitsproduct pursuant tothese bilateral agreements, rather thanexporting
them tocountries thatcanprovide freely convertible currency.
Answer :
Listsoftrade items, attached tosuchagreements, wereofapurely indicative character and
could notoblige individual enterprises toengage inforeign trade operations. NordidtheGovernment
operate anyspecial schemes orincentives toensure implementation ofsuchagreements.
Question 159:
According totheMemorandum, State orders toenterprises tofulfil bilateral trade agreements
withCIScountries havenowbeenreduced tolessthan6percentofindustrial output. What are
theterms ofthese State orders? Does theGovernment ofBelarus payapremium toensure that
itsorders arefilled? Areenterprises operating inBelarus obliged tofillState orders?
Answer :
Indeed, theRepublic ofBelarus signed anumber ofagreements withtheCISStates that
envisage possibilities ofthemutual supplies ofproducts. Thelistandthevolume ofproducts tobe
supplied mustbearranged annually byrelevant protocols togiven agreements, however for1997such
protocols havenotbeensigned withanystateandsupplies havenotbeenexecuted.
Suppliers ofproducts were determined onthebasis ofcompetition. Thisprocedure was
established bytheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnSupplies ofGoods forNeeds oftheState".
Supplying enterprises were tofulfil themade contracts.
Thecurrent regulatory documents donotstipulate theprovision ofbonuses tosupplying
enterprises fortimely fulfilment oforders.
IV.3(l) Government procurement
Question 160:
When isthedraft LawonGovernment Procurement expected tobeadopted? Does thedraft law
respect allthegeneral principles setoutintheWTO Agreement onGovernment Procurement?
Canacopy ofthedraft lawbeprovided inaWTO language?WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page66
Answer :
Thisdraft Lawhasbeendeveloped onthebasis oftheUNModel LawonGovernment
procurement.
Atpresent, thedraftLawonStateProcurement isstillatthestage ofelaboration. After this
Lawispassed, itstextwillbesubmitted totheWTO Secretariat.
Question 161:
Please explain howthesystem ofpreferences fordomestic production works ateach level of
government.
Answer :
When procurements aremade attheexpense oftheRepublican budget customers mustapply
thepreference provisions. Allreceived tender offers shallbedivided intotwogroups. Thefirstgroup
shallinclude offers ofresidents oftheRepublic ofBelarus: producers oftheirownproduction aswell
assuppliers (agents) presenting products ofenterprises residents oftheRepublic ofBelarus thatare
referred, according totheestablished procedure, totheproducts oftheirownproduction. Thesecond
group shallinclude allother offers. After that,acomparison ofthesubmitted tender offers shallbe
made. Ifthetender price ofthedomestic offerexceeds theprice ofthetender offerofaforeign offer
bynotmore than20percent, thentheabove tender offers while comparison shallbegiven equal
assessments astotheprice.
Question 162:
Belarus should commit tojointheGovernment Procurement Agreement aspartofitsaccession
protocol commitments, andaschedule ofcommitments should besubmitted totheGovernment
Procurement Committee toinitiate thenegotiations within three months after accession. Does
Belarus intend toaccede totheGovernment Procurement Agreement assoon asitbecomes a
member oftheWTO?
Answer :
After Belarus ’accession toWTO thisissue willbesubject toadditional negotiations.
Question 163:
Please provide atranslated copy ofthedraft LawOnGovernment Procurement totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party. What isthecurrent legislative status ofthisdraft
law?
Answer :
SeeAnswer 160.
Question 164:
Please provide atranslated copy oftheLawonProcurement ofGoods forGovernment Needs,
dated 24November 1993 totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page67
Answer :
Thetranslated copy oftheLawonProcurement ofGoods forGovernment Needs, dated
24November 1993 isenclosed.
Question 165:
According totheresponse toQuestion 120ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, theSupreme Council, theCabinet
ofMinisters andlocalgovernments grant preferences within thescope oftheircompetence. Please
describe thecriteria used bytheSupreme Council andCabinet ofMinisters todetermine the
preference scheme forlocal suppliers.
Answer :
When tender offers areassessed, theCustomer mustapply apreferential correction tothe
tender price ofthedomestic producer whooffers forsupply goods, work andservices ofhisown
production. Ifthetender price ofthedomestic offerexceeds theprice ofthetender offerofaforeign
offerbynotmore than20percent,theabove tender offers shallbegiven equal assessments astothe
price.
Question 166:
Please describe anymajor Government procurement purchases thatarenotopenandimplemented
onacompetitivebasis.Whatcriteriaareappliedindeterminingwhetheragovernmentprocurement
contract willbetendered onanopen andtransparent basis?
Answer :
Government procurement contracts aretendered onanopenbasisifthecontract price does
notexceed thefollowing levels:
- ECU 80,000- price ongoods andservices;
- million ECU -price onprocurement ofworks.
However, while purchasing ofexpensive andcomplicated goods/works, inorder tolimit
anumber ofbidders, thecustomer maydecide toapply alimited tender procedure. Iftheapproximate
contract priceislower thantheabove-mentioned one,simplified direct tender procedures areapplied.
Question 167:
Howaretheupcoming tenders notified? Dotherequests fortenders specify whether ornotforeign
enterprises areeligible tobeawarded thecontracts?
Answer:
Thecurrent LawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnSupply ofGoods forNeeds oftheState"
andResolution No.437dated 13June1994inimplementation oftheLawdonotspecify anyrestrictions
onthecomposition oftenders forpurchase (supply) ofgoods. Inaccordance withthecurrent procedure
fortheannouncement oftenders forthepurchase inexcess ofECU 10,000 shallbepublished inthe
press andanyone cansubmit hisoffer andtakepartinthetender.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page68
IV.3(m) Regulations oftrade intransit
Question 168:
According totheresponse toQuestion 121ofWT/ACC/BLR/2, theRepublic ofBelarus abolished
thetransit taxandintroduced dues. Aretheduesimposed inthesame amounts andunder the
same conditions forbothforeign anddomestic individual andlegal entities? Please describe the
duessystem, including amounts.
Answer:
Owners andusers ofautomotive facilities offoreign States shallpay,inaccordance with
theLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnDues fortheUseofMeans ofMotor-Roads ofCommon Use
oftheRepublic ofBelarus" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1), duesfortheroads usage. Theratesofdues
were approved byResolution No.338oftheCabinet ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated
29June1995.
Question 169:
According totheresponse toQuestion 121ofWTO/ACC/BLR/2, transporters fromsome countries
aregranted exemptions from theroadusage feeunder mutual bilateral agreements. Please identify
thecountries whose transporters receive exemptions from thisfee.How doesBelarus intend to
bring thisfeesystem intoconformity withtherequirements ofGATT Article V.5?
Answer:
In1997, theparity oftravels wasusedasthebasisforexemption frompayment ofthetransit
duescarriers of16foreign states, namely: theRepublic ofMoldova, theRepublic ofPoland, theAustrian
Republic, theKingdom ofBelgium, theItalian Republic, theCzech Republic, theRepublic ofBulgaria,
Ukraine, theKingdom ofSpain, Romania, theFederal Republic ofGermany, theGreek Republic,
theHungarian Republic, theRepublic ofSlovenia, theFrench Republic andtheLithuanian Republic.
Theabove measures haveallowed tocreate forBelorussian automobile carriers favourable conditions
foroperation onthetransport markets oftheabove countries aswellascorrespond tothetendency
forexemption offoreign carriers (including Belorussian ones) fromthepayment ofroadduesthatexist
inanumber ofWest European countries
Question 170:
Please describe thecharges fortheuseoftheMotor Road Brest-Minsk. Arethecharges thesame
forforeign anddomestic transporters? Aretransporters from anycountries excluded from these
charges foranyreason?
Answer:
IntheRepublic ofBelarus, payment hasbeenestablished fortheusage ofautomobile road
M-1.E-30Brest-Minsk-borderoftheRussianFederation.Paymentfortheusageofthisroadismandatory
forallforeign carriers without exclusion.
Temporarily, fortwoyears, payment fortheusage ofthisroadisnotlevied from owners
(users) oftransport facilities registered intheRepublic ofBelarus aswellasfrom owners andusers
ofautomobile facilities thatcarry cargo ashumanitarian aidonproducing relevant documents. On
expiration oftwoyears itisenvisaged tolevythispayments from thenational carriers according to
theestablished rates.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page69
IV.4 Agriculture
Question 171:
Please supply information ondomestic support andexport subsidies inACC/4 format forthe
most recent three-year period.
Answer:
Thismaterial willbesubmitted totheWTO Secretariat.
Question 172:
WehopethatBelarus willshortly provide information onagriculture subsidies intheWT/ACC/4
format?
Answer:
Thismaterial willbesubmitted totheWTO Secretariat.
Question 173:
Please describe thedomestic support andexport subsidies foragriculture intheform ofaresponse
toWT/ACC/4 andcirculate thisresponse totheWorking Party prior tothenextmeeting.
Answer:
Thismaterial willbesubmitted totheWTO Secretariat prior tothenextmeeting ofthe
Working Party.
Question 174:
According totheMemorandum, anextra-budgetary support fund foragriculture hasbeen
established tocover themosturgent financial needs oftheagricultural sector. Please provide more
informationdescribingthenatureandscopeofthesupportprogramme,whoqualifiestoparticipate,
theconditions tofulfil inorder toreceive funds.
Answer:
Asaresult oftheChernobyl accident more than1.8million hawere heavily affected by
theradioactive fall-out, ofwhich 265thousand haofarable landcannolonger beusedforagricultural
purposes. Starting from 1996 Belarus formed theextra-budgetary fundforsupport ofproducers of
agriculturalproducersandfood.Thisfundisaimedatminimisationoftheconsequencesoftheradioactive
contamination affects andstructural adjustment ofagricultural sector.
ThefundisformedwiththeparticipationofallenterprisesandorganisationsofBelarus(except
agricultural enterprises); thedeductions aremade intheamount of1percentofthereceipts fromthe
saleofproducts, work andservices.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page70
In1997, theabove fundhasbeenspent for:
- equalisation ofeconomic conditions;
- decreasing thecostofmineral fertilisers;
- acquisition ofmachinery onconditions ofleasing;
- provision ofpreferential interest ratesoncredits;
- urgent needs.
Question 175:
According totheMemorandum, State enterprises produce 20percentoftotal Belorussian
agricultural output andoperate on24percentofthearable lad.Collective farms accounted for
nearly 60percentofarable landand45percentofproduction. Private farms arepractically
non-existent. Does theGovernment maintain anyownership interests intheco-operatives? Does
theGovernment control inanywaytheoperations oftheco-operatives? Please describe indetail
thenature ofthecontrol.
Answer:
TheStatedoesnotmaintainanyownershipinterestsinthepropertyofco-operatives(collective
farms). Thecontrol overactivities ofco-operatives (collective farms) isexercised through thecollection
oftaxes aswellasthrough thecomplete fulfilment ofproducts supplies fortheneeds oftheState.
Question 176:
Please describe indetail howtheState-owned enterprises dispose ofthegoods theyproduce.
Answer:
Inconformity withtheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnEnterprises intheRepublic of
Belarus" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) enterprises areindependent toplantheiractivities including sale
ofmanufactured products proceeding from thedemand fortheproducts andthenecessity tosecure
theproduction andsocial development oftheenterprise onthebasis ofcontracts made withthe
consumers.
Theenterprises executes work andsupplies fortheneeds oftheStateonthecontractual basis
inaccordance withtheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnSupply ofGoods fortheNeeds oftheState".
Inaccordance withtheanti-monopoly legislation oftheRepublic ofBelarus forenterprises
thatoccupy dominant position onthemarket temporary restrictions offreedom fortherealisation of
products (work, services) canbeestablished.
Question 177:
Please describe thesteps Belarus intends totaketointroduce private ownership offarms.
Answer:
When private farms areformed inBelarus, theprocess isguided bythelaws"OnPeasant
(Private) Farms", "OnProperty", "OnLeasing" andtheCode onLand oftheRepublic ofBelarus.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page71
Asaresult ofthework performed, thenumber offarms was2,977 by1January 1997which
possessed 61.4thousand hectares oflandincluding 43.4thousand hectares ofarable land.
Thefunds oftheRepublican budget allocated forfarms areusedtodevelop design andcost
estimate documents andfulfilwork ontheprimary arrangement offarms (construction ofroads, lines
ofradio andelectric transmission lines, water supply, gassupply, telephone lines, landarrangement
landreclamation). Beginning from 1994, farms areprovided, from thefarm support fund, with
interest-free loans fortheproduction construction (forfiveyears upto50percentoftheestimates
cost)while aftertheadoption in1995 ofthenewregulation "OntheRepublic Fund ofStateSupport
ofPeasant (Private) Farms" theloans arealsoprovided fortheplantation ofyoung plants (upto
80percentofthecost)andacquisition ofgrain-harvesting machinery andequipment forgrain drying
(upto100percentofthecost).
Thefunds ofthebudget areusedtofinance design anddevelopment work, manufacture of
pilotspecimens ofagricultural machinery andequipment, development andmassproduction oftypical
andexperimental plans forconstruction offarmhouses.
FortheabovepurposesthefollowingamountshavebeenallocatedfromtheRepublicanbudget:
in1994 -13.4billion roubles, in1995 -44.2billion roubles, in1996 -44.0billion roubles. Inthe
current year, 70billion roubles areallocated from thebudget.
Thus,theGovernmentoftheRepublicofBelarusencouragesintroductionofprivateownership
offarms andstructural adjustment ofagricultural sector.
Question 178:
Weareinterested inmore information inrelation tothetrade andindustry policies ofBelarus
astheyaffect wool. Could Belarus please provide information inrelation to:
- tariffs, quotas andanynon-tariff measures relating toimports ofwool;
- standards andcertification requirements applicable toimported wool;
- internal taxes (such asVAT) applicable towool, aswellastocompeting fibres such
ascotton;
- theactivities ofanyState-trading enterprises inthewool sector;
- thenature ofthewoolgrowing andprocessing industries inBelarus, including anyforms
ofgovernment assistance provided tothese activities, either inthedomestic orexport
markets.
Answer:
Thetariff onimport ofwool is20percent. Non-tariff measures arenotapplied.
There arenospecific standards andcertification requirements applicable toimported wool.
VAT onimported wool andcotton is20percent.
TherearenoState-tradingenterprisesinthewoolsectorasitisdefinedinArticleXVIIGATT.
Nogovernment assistance isprovided toactivities inthewool sector.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page72
Question 179:
Please explain theminimum price system forimported alcoholic drinks. Please provide atable
showing details ofthese minimum prices andcurrent prices ofanalogous products produced in
Belarus. What action istaken iftheimported products arepresented atthecustoms atprices
below theminimum?
Answer:
Minimum disbursement prices forimported alcoholic products areestablished forvodka
andliqueurs stronger than28degrees inconnection withthenecessity toprotect human health.
Insuchcase, theminimum price fortheabove products from foreign States (except CIS
countries) represents theamount ofmandatory payments forimport (excise, value-added tax,customs
duty) andconstitutes 100thousand roubles per0.5litrewhile fromtheCIScountries (thatarenotliable
tocustoms duties andtheVAT (seeanswer toQuestion 65))-50thousand roubles for0.5litre.
Therefore,pricesfortheimportedproductsdeclaredtocustomsbodiescannotbelowerthantheminimum
levelasitincludes onlymandatory payments forimport.
Seealsoanswer toQuestion 15.
Question 180:
Weseekfurther details onthetaxexemptions fortheexport ofproduction. Does thisapply to
agricultural products? Ifso,which products arecovered? Wealsoseekmore information onthe
taxexemptions mentioned intheagricultural sector?
Answer:
Inaccordance with theLaw oftheRepublic ofBelarus "On Value-Added Tax"
(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)goods(includingagriculturalproducts)thatareexported,excepttothemember
states oftheCommonwealth ofIndependent States, shallnotbeliable tothevalue-added tax.
Inaccordance with theLaw oftheRepublic ofBelarus "On Excise Tax"
(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) goods forwhich theexcise taxratesareestablished when exported, except
tothemember states oftheCommonwealth ofIndependent States, shallnotbeliable totheexcise tax.
Atpresent, excise taxisnotapplied toagricultural products.
Reason ofcollection ofexcise andValue-Added Taxfromgoods exported fromtheRepublic
ofBelarus totheCISStates isdescribed inanswer onQuestion 65.
Question 181:
Which areas areregarded asdisadvantaged forthepurposes ofagriculture support payments?
Answer:
Atpresent, thebasic branches ofagriculture inBelarus needsupport from theState. The
support isaimed atstructural adjustment ofagricultural sector andatminimisation oftheconsequences
oftheradioactive contamination affects ofChernobyl accidence.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page73
Question 182:
DoesBelarusprovideanysupporttospecificagriculturesectorsapartfromcattle-breeding
andpoultry farms?
Answer:
TheProgramme ofdevelopment ofporkproduction for1996-2000 wasdeveloped inBelarus.
ThisProgramme envisages annual allocation offunds from thebudget fordecreasing the
costofsuper-concentrates. Thus itcorresponds toArticle 29oftheAgreement onSubsidies and
Countervailing Measures.
Question 183:
What activities intheagriculture sector arefinanced from theBudget?
Answer:
Thefunds oftheStatebudget areusedtofinance thefollowing directions intheagricultural
sector: budgetary institutions ofagriculture (veterinary network, Stateseedinspection), introduction
ofloamintoacidsoil,expenditures forfinancing Statecomplex programmes, Statesupport forpeasantry
farms, expenses ofmaterial andtechnical resources usedbyagricultural enterprises.
Question 184:
How arethepurchases forpublic stockholdings regulated? What products arecovered andhow
arethepurchasing prices set?Arethere specific enterprises thatundertake thepurchasing?
Answer:
Takingintoaccounttheseasonalcharacterofagriculturalproductionandtheneedforwarranted
foodprovision tothepopulation oftheRepublic, theMinistry ofEconomics together withtheMinistry
ofAgriculture andFood form every yearvolumes andranges ofsupplies fortheState needs ofthe
mostimportant kinds ofagricultural produce which areinformed, afterhaving beendiscussed bythe
Council ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus, totheState customers andRegion Executive
Committees. Taking intoaccount localdemands forsuchproduce, theRegion Executive Committees
inform about thevolumes ofitssupplies andpurchase theregional executive committees andstock-piling
organisations whereas theregional executive committees inform about itco-operatives (collective farms)
andother landusers thatcarry onproduction inkind. Together withthenotification ofvolumes of
supplies ofagricultural produce totheproducers, theMinistry ofAgriculture andFood informs about
theminimum purchasing prices fortheproduce thatshallbecorrected, during theyear,withdueaccount
ofmodification ofpricing factors (with account ofthedollar exchange rate). Purchase fortheneeds
oftheState ofmostimportant kinds ofagricultural produce ismade bytheStateCustomer, i.e.,the
Ministry ofAgriculture andFoodthrough thesubordinated organisation, enterprises andotherdivisions
irrespective oftheform ofproperty.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page74
Asregards theformation oftheStateReserve, weinform thatthematerial values aresupplied
totheState Reserve according tofixed prices (iffixed prices areestablished forthegiven produce)
oraccording tofree(contractual) prices. Thenomenclature ofmaterial values oftheState Reserve
andtheamountoftheiraccumulationareapprovedbytheCouncilofMinistersoftheRepublicofBelarus
andcannot bedisclosed.
There arenospecific agricultural enterprises dealing withthepurchase (supply) ofmaterial
values fortheState Reserve.
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME
V.l General
V.1(a) Intellectual property policy
Question 185:
AccordingtotheresponsetoQuestion132ofWT/ACC/BLR/2,theGovernmentofBelarusindicated
thatitwould implement theWTO TRIPS Agreement within areasonable period upon itsaccession.
Belarus willhavetoadopt andimplement WTO TRIPS-compatible legislation covering alltypes
ofintellectual property prior toWTO accession. TheTRIPS Agreement isanintegral partof
theobligations undertaken byallWTO Members andweexpect allacceding countries tocommit
gofullimplementation, without resort toanytransition periods, asofthedateofaccession. Belarus
hasmade astartinthisprocess byjoining theParis Convention fortheProtection ofIndustrial
Property andcommitting tojointheBerne Convention, theInternational Convention forthe
Protection ofNewVariety ofPlants andtheMadrid Agreement fortheRegistration ofMarks.
Belarus hasalready established many TRIPS obligations inbilateral trade agreements withother
countries. Ifthese obligations havebeenobserved implementation oftheWTO TRIPS Agreement
should notbedifficult.
Inorder tomake thesecond Working Party meeting asproductive aspossible, Belarus should
prepare areport, tobesubmitted totheSecretariat prior tothemeeting, identifying alldeficiencies
inItsIPRregime andproviding atimetable foraddressing eachsuchdeficiency. Belarus should
alsoconsider submitting translated copies ofdraft IPRlegislation totheSecretariat forreview
bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
SeeAnnex 7.
Question 186:
Could thedelegation ofBelarus giveusaclearer picture ofthevarious intergovernmental
agreements (Russia-Belarus, Ukraine-Belarus) being prepared oralready adopted inthefield
ofintellectual property. (WT/ACC/BLR/l)WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page75
Answer:
TheAgreement between theGovernment oftheRepublic ofBelarus andtheGovernment
oftheRussian Federation onco-operation inthesphere ofprotection ofindustrial property dated
20July1994 stipulates thecarrying onanddevelopment ofco-operation inthesphere ofprotection
anduseofindustrial property facilities onthebasisofmutual benefit andequality inconformity with
international agreements towhich theyareorwillbeparticipants. Co-operation between theParties
includes solution ofissues connected withtheprotection anduseofrights forinventions, industrial
specimens, trade marks andother industrial property facilities, simplification oftheprocedure of
submission andconsideration ofapplication forprotection documents oftheapplicants oftheRepublic
ofBelarus intheRussian Federation andoftheapplicants oftheRussian Federation intheRepublic
ofBelarus aswellasexchange ofinformation, regulatory andother documents andofexperience in
thesphere ofprotection ofindustrial property. TheAgreements provides physical andlegalpersons
oftheParties thenational treatment status. TheParties recognise theforce, ontheterritories oftheir
states, ofpreviously issued protection documents oftheUSSR forindustrial property facilities, assure,
inconformity withtheirlegalacts,thepayment ofremuneration totheauthors fortheuseofinventions
andindustrial specimens ontheterritories oftheirStates. TheCommittee oftheRussian Federation
onpatents andtrademarks makes information retrieval, renders assistance totheStatePatent Committee
oftheRepublic ofBelarus intheorganisation ofitswork onfilling thenational patent fund, the
development ofautomated patent information systems, etc.Inaccordance withArticle 6ofthe
Agreement, when applications aresubmitted fortheissueofprotection documents, obtaining protection
documents andkeeping them inforce patent attorneys ofoneStatearegiven therighttohaveaffairs
directly withthepatent office oftheother State representing inthiscaseinterests ofthenational
applicants only. National applicants ofoneState arealsogiven therighttocarry proceeding forthe
obtaining ofprotection documents andkeeping theminforce directly withthepatent office oftheother
state.
TheAgreement between theGovernment oftheRepublic ofBelarus andtheGovernment
oftheUkraineonCo-operationintheSphereofProtectionofIndustrialPropertydated20October1993.
Inaccordance withArticle 1ofthisAgreement, when applications aresubmitted fortheissue of
protection documents, theobtaining ofprotection documents andthekeeping theminforce, applicants
andpatent attorneys ofbothStates canhaveaffairs directly withthepatent office oftheparties. In
suchcase, patent attorneys ofbothStates havetheright, within theframework oftheAgreement, to
represent interests ofthenational applicants only.
These standards wereintroduced intotheseagreements in1993when theseStates justbegan
todevelop institutions ofpatent attorneys andtheabsence ofapatent attorney could become anobstacle
fortimely submission ofdocuments topatent offices.
Question 187:
Arethere specific obligations contained inbilateral agreements signed withcountries oftheformer
USSR inthesphere ofprotection ofintellectual property thatBelarus doesnotwish toextent
toother countries?
Answer:
TheRepublic ofBelarus participates intwoagreements withthecountries oftheformer
USSR inthesphere ofprotection ofindustrial property asfollows:WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page76
- TheAgreement between theGovernment oftheRepublic ofBelarus andtheGovernment
oftheRussian Federation onCo-operation intheSphere ofProtection ofIndustrial Property.
Inaccordance withArticle 6oftheAgreement when applications aresubmitted fortheissue
ofprotectiondocuments,protectiondocumentsareobtainedandkeptinforce,patentattorneys
ofoneState aregiven theright todealdirectly withthepatent office oftheother State
representing insuchcaseinterests ofnational applicants only. National applicants ofone
Statearealsogiven therighttodealdirectly withthepatent office oftheother Stateinthe
issues ofobtaining ofprotection documents andmaintaining thedocuments inforce.
- TheAgreement between theGovernment oftheRepublic ofBelarus andtheGovernment
oftheUkraine onCo-operation intheSphere ofProtection ofIndustrial Property. In
accordance withArticle 6oftheAgreement when applications aresubmitted fortheissue
ofprotection documents, protection documents areobtained andkeptinforce, applicants
andpatent attorneys ofbothStates, ontheprinciples ofreciprocity, candealdirectly with
patents offices oftheParties. Insodoing, thepatent attorneys ofbothStates havetheright,
within theframework ofthisAgreement, torepresent interests ofnational applicants only.
These standards were introduced intheagreements in1993 when thestates justbegan to
develop patent attorney institutions andtheabsence ofthepatent attorney could become anobstacle
intheprocess oftimely submission ofdocuments topatent offices.
V.1(c) Membership ofinternational intellectual property conventions
Question 188:
When does Belarus intend definitively tojoint theConventions mentioned onpage 247
(WT/ACC/BLR/l)
Answer:
TheLawoftheRepublicofBelarus"OnJoiningoftheRepublicofBelarustoBernConvention
onProtection ofLiterature andArtWorks (Paris Actof24July1971 asamended on
28September 1979)" wassigned on14July1997byDecree ofthePresident oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
TheCommittee onAuthors ’andRelated Rights together withtheMinistry ofForeign Affairs
oftheRepublic ofBelarus continues thework onthepreparation forjoining toRome Convention on
protection ofinterests ofperforming artists, makers ofsound tracks andbroadcasting organisation.
Question 189:
Please listanddescribe those obligations concerning intellectual property thatBelarus hasassumed
pursuant toitsaccession totheEurasian Patent Convention?
Inconformity withtheEurasian Patent Convention theRepublic ofBelarus hasentered the
international system ofobtaining thepatent fortheinvention having effect ontheterritory ofall
contracting States. Contracting States preserve thefullsovereignty inthepartofdevelopment oftheir
national systems onprotection ofinventions. Noprovision oftheEurasian Patent Convention shall
beunderstood asrestriction oftherights envisaged bytheParisConvention onprotection ofindustrial
property. TheConvention doesnotconcern therightofanycontracting statetoissuenational patents
andisnotanobstacle fortheindependent participation ofthecontracting stateinanyinternational
organisation anddevelop different forms ofinternational co-operation.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page77
V.(e) Feesandtaxes
Question 190:
Initsanswer tothequestion 131(document WT/ACC/BLR/2), Belarus indicated thatnational
treatment does notapply topatent fees. Does Belarus believe thatthisdifferent treatment is
compatible withthenational treatment provided forinArticle 2oftheParis Convention forthe
Protection ofIndustrial Property, which isincorporated byreference inArticle 2.1offeeTRIPS
Agreement?
Answer:
Patent duties andfeesforallkinds ofactivities connected withtheacquisition oftherights
toindustrial property facilities protected intheRepublic ofBelarus areestablished bytheCouncil of
Ministers oftheRepublic ofBelarus. Thesizeofduties andfeeswereestablished inconformity with
Decree No.126oftheCabinet ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated 21February 1996. The
national treatment doesnotcover foreign applicants asregards duties andfeeswhich isatemporary
measure caused bytheeconomic situation inthecountry. Thepayment inpercentoftheminimum
salary orasafixed rateisdetermined bytheabove Decree depending onthepermanent residence or
location ontheterritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus. Inconnection withtheadoption oftheLaw"On
Patents forInventions andUseful Models" sizeofduties fortheprotection ofindustrial property facilities
willbereviewed andanewdecree willbepassed. When thesizeofduties isdetermined thisdiscrepancy
willbetaken intoaccount soastodecrease thedifference inpayment ofduties byforeign andnational
applicants.
Question 191:
What isthesituation withregard totrade mark fees? Isnational treatment applied?
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 190.
V.2 Substantive Standards ofProtection
V.2(a) Copyright andrelated rights
Question 192:
Theresponses toQuestions 134and183ofWT/ACC/BLR/2 indicate thatthere isanewLaw
onCopyright andRelated Rights. Please provide atranslated copyofthislegislation totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party. Please describe fully anydifferences between the
provisions ofthislawandtherequirements oftheTRIPS Agreement.
Answer:
ThisLawhasbeensubmitted totheWTO Secretariat (SeeWT/ACC/BLR/5).
Thescope oftheauthorship rights given onthebasis ofthisLawandtheduration oftheir
protection period areinfullagreement withtherequirements ofSection I,partII,oftheTRIPS
Agreement. Besides, theLawrecognises therange ofindividual non-property rights oftheauthors
whose works areprotected thescope ofwhich isgreater thanthescope stipulated byArticle 6bisofWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page78
Bern Convention onprotection ofliterature andartworks; theright toallow orbantherentofthe
copies ofworks isrecognised fortheauthors ofalltypes ofworks without anyexclusion andfortheir
successors.
Inthesphere ofprotection ofadjacent rights theLawgives theperformers andmakers of
sound tracks andbroadcasting organisations thescope ofrights thatisgreater thantheonerequired
inaccordance withArticle 14oftheTRIPS Agreement. Thus, theperformers aregiven, inaddition
totheproperty rights, individual non-property rights (theright tothename andtheprotection of
performance against distortion); theperformer isgiven therighttoobtain remuneration forthepublic
performance, broadcasting orannouncement forgeneral knowledge overcable ofsound tracks onto
which hisperformance hasbeenrecorded.
Inaddition totherights stipulated inparagraph 2ofArticle 14oftheTRIPS Agreement,
theLawgives themakers ofphonograms therighttoobtain remuneration forasecond useofthesound
tracks (bywayofitspublic performance, broadcasting orannouncement forgeneral knowledge over
cable).
Inaddition totherights stipulated inparagraph 3ofArticle 14oftheTRIPS Agreement,
theBelorussian legislation recognises therightofbroadcasting corporations toallow orbantheuse
oftheirbroadcasting bywayofannouncement togeneral knowledge overcable; thetermofprotection
oftherights ofbroadcasting organisation constitutes, inconformity withtheLaw, 50years afterthe
firstbroadcasting.
V.2(c) Geographical indications, including appellations oforigin
Question 193:
What stage hasthework reached onlegislation concerning geographical indications, including
appellations oforigin? (WT/ACC/BLR/l)
Answer:
TheDraft Civil Code oftheRepublic ofBelarus (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) approved by
bothChambers oftheNational Assembly stipulates legalprotection ofthename ofgoods origin places.
TheDraft Code specifies thattheprocedure andconditions ofregistration andissue ofcertificates,
recognition asinvalid andtermination ofthevalidity ofregistration andcertificates isdetermined by
thelawonthename ofthegoods origin places.
Thelawonthename ofgoods origin places isplanned tobedeveloped andpassed in
1998/1999.
V.2(f) Plant variety protection
Question 194:
Please provide atranslated copy oftheLawonProtection ofVarieties ofPlants totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 125.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page79
V.2(g) Layout designs ofintegrated circuits
Question 195:
Please provide translated copies ofthedraft LawonLayout Designs ofIntegrated Circuits and
thedraft LawonProtection ofUtility Models totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking
Party. What isthecurrent status ofthislegislation?
Answer:
ThecopyoftheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnLegal Protection oftheTopology of
Integrated Circuits" willbesubmitted totheSecretariat ofWTO assoonaspossible.
V.2(h) Requirements onundisclosed information
Question 196:
Please provide translated copies oftheprovisions oftheCivil Code andCriminal Code thatapply
totheprotection ofundisclosed information.
Answer:
ProtectionofconfidentialinformationcorrespondstotheprovisionsofArticle39oftheTRIPS
Agreement. Thegeneral standards oftheCriminal Code protect confidential information byestablishing
liability foritsdisclosure.
Thecivillegislation regulates theprocedure ofcompensation forthematerial damage caused
totheowner ofinformation bywayofitsunauthorized disclosure.
V.4 Enforcement
V.4(b) Provisional measures; administrative procedures andremedies; special border measures
Question 197:
What isthepresent situation asregards special border measures? (WT/ACC/BLR/l)
Answer:
TheRepublic ofBelarus ismaking preparations fortheimplementation oftheWTO TRIPS
regulation regarding border enforcement.
Question 198:
When doestheGovernment ofBelarus intend toimplement these measures? What steps isthe
Government ofBelarus taking toenact rules andregulations dealing withthese measures?
Answer:
Thecurrent legislation oftheRepublic ofBelarus (Article 40oftheLaw"OnAuthorship
RightandRelatedRights")stipulatesopportunityofapplicationbyjudicialbodiesofprovisionalmeasures
incorrespondence withtherequirements ofArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page80
Considering aclaim oftheowner ofthecopy-right orrelated rights theCourt ofJustice
canadjudicate toforbid thedefendant tocommit definite actions, namely thefabrication, reproduction,
sale,import oranother useaswellastransportation, storage orpossession withaviewofrelease into
public circulation ofcopies ofworks andsound tracks assumed tobecounterfeited.
Thecourtmayalsoadjudicate, before considering thecase,toarrest andconfiscate allcopies
ofworks andphonograms assumed tobecounterfeited aswellasassociated materials andequipment.
Theabove measures areapplied asmethods ofsecuring thesubmitted claim; thedecision
onapplication ofcorrespondent measures istaken bythecourt when acaseifstarted bythesuitof
theproprietor without theneedforthedefendant tobepresent.
Asregards measures applied ontheborder (Section 4,partIIoftheTRIPS Agreement),
theRepublic ofBelarus ismaking preparations fortheimplementation oftheWTO TRIPS regulation
regarding border enforcement.
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES REGIME
VI.1 General
Question 199:
Belarus mentions thatatpresent detailed legislation exists onlyonfinancial services. What isthe
situation asregards theother service sectors? (WT/ACC/BLR/l)
Answer:
Belarus willprovide theexhaustive information concerning regulation ofservice sector as
soonaspossible.
Question 200:
Please describe your services regime intheform ofaresponse toWT/ACC/5 andcirculate this
description prior tothenextWorking Party meeting.
Answer:
Theformat WT/ACC/5 willbeusedasabasisforpreparing Belarus ’initial offeronservices,
which willbesubmitted forconsideration bytheWTO Member States
VI.2 Policies Affecting Trade inServices
VI.2(a) Government departments, agencies, professional associations
Question 201:
Doesquestion 168(WT/ACC/BLR/2) refertoacademic ortoprofessional recognition ofdiplomas?
Answer:
Thisitemrefers bothtoacademic andprofessional recognition ofdiplomas.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page81
Question 202:
Could Belarus clarify whether foreigners granted freemarket access andnational treatment?
Ifnot,what arethespecific limitations? (Question 170,WT/ACC/BLR/2). Inreply towhether
nationality requirements apply toactivities other than attorney andnotary services, onlycivil
service wasmentioned. Could Belarus confirm what isthestatus ofaforeign legal consultant?
i.e.onwhich lawscanhegiveadvice?
Answer:
AlllawsoftheRepublic ofBelarus include standards thatregulate relationship connected
withtheinstitutions ofpatent attorneys. Citizens andstateless persons (apatrides) living outside the
Republic ofBelarus orforeign legalpersons having apermanent location inforeign countries commit
intheRepublic ofBelarus actions onobtaining ofpatents andcertificates andthemaintenance oftheir
force through patent attorneys registered inthepatent office.
IntheRepublic ofBelarus, adifferentiated admission offoreign labour onthedomestic labour
market ispractised based ontheprinciples ofeconomic expediency. Preference isgiven toforeign
citizens andpersons without nationality whoinvest theeconomy ofthecountry, render consultation
andinformation services inthesphere ofnewtechnologies andexperience oforganisation ofproduction
andwork process andactassponsors incharitable foundations.
Thebasic regulatory actthatregulates thelegal status offoreign citizens intheRepublic
ofBelarus istheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnLegal Status ofForeign Citizens andApatrides
intheRepublic ofBelarus". Inconformity withthisLawforeign citizens intheRepublic ofBelarus
enjoy thesame rights andfreedoms andexecute thesame duties ascitizens oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Restrictions ofrights andfreedoms forforeign citizens canbeestablished onlyincasesifsuchisrequired
forprotection ofrights andbasic freedoms ofcitizens oftheRepublic ofBelarus, assurance ofthe
State security, theprotection ofpublic order andhealth ofthepopulation.
Foreign citizens temporarily living ontheterritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus havetheright
tocarry onlabour, economic orother activities ifthisiscompatible withthepurposes oftheirstay
andinother cases -onlyiftheyaregiven aspecial permit issued byStatebodies authorized todothis
bytheCouncil ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Foreign citizens permanently living intheRepublic ofBelarus andcarrying on,onlegal
grounds, labour, economic orother activities havetherighttoallsocial andeconomic rights enjoyed
bycitizens oftheRepublic ofBelarus including therighttosocial security.
Foreign legalconsultants cangiveadvice onalllawswithout anyrestrictions.
VI.2(c) Qualification requirements andprocedures, licensing andregistration requirements
Question 203:
Please elaborate onthecriteria toobtain alicence andtheprocedures forissuing licences.
Answer:
These criteria aredescribed inResolution No.213oftheCabinet ofMinisters oftheRepublic
ofBelarus dated 1December 1994 which issubmitted totheWTO Secretariat. (See
WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page82
Question 204:
Could Belarus confirm thatlicensing requirements donotentail aneconomic needs testandare
notrestricted bythenumber ofsuppliers already inmarket? (Question 176,WT/ACC/BLR/2).
Could Belarus establish whether there areanyother transport enterprises which arenotsubject
toprivatization (likerailway transport enterprises)? (Question 178,WT/ACC/BLR/2).
Answer:
Requirements toimport licensing donotentail analysis ofeconomic demands andarenot
limited bythenumber ofsuppliers already present onthemarket. Asregards goods included into
sub-groups 3808, 2618-2620 and3915licensing isaimed onlyatassuring thesafety oftheenvironment
andthehealth ofthenation.
Alltransport enterprises (except railway transport enterprises) aresubject toprivatization.
Question 205:
HasBelarus anynewinformation, previously unavailable, concerning theforms ofsubsidies
affecting trade inservices? (Question 179,WT/ACC/BLR/2).
Answer:
Resolution No.389oftheCabinet ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus dated 24July1995
"OnIntroduction oftheStateSystem ofFinancial Support toCitizens inConditions ofIncreased Tariffs
forLiving andCommunal Services" envisages thegrant ofnon-cash housing subsidies tocitizens living
inhouses oftheState andpublic housing funds, inhouses ofhousing-construction andhousing
co-operatives andinliving houses owned bycitizens bytheright ofproperty forwhich theamount
ofexpenses forthemaintenance ofhousing accommodations andcommunal services withdueaccount
ofthecurrent privileges exceeds 15percentofthetotalincome ofthefamily.
Thebudget for1997 stipulates thecoverage ofexpenses attheexpense ofthepopulation
atfixed tariffs intheamount of50percent,attheexpense ofshifting apartofexpenses onservices
forthepopulation toother users andwithdueaccount ofrental payment intheamount of40percent
and10percentattheexpense ofsubsidies from localbudgets.
Forms ofsubsidisation ofcitizens forthepayment ofhousing andcommunal services are
constantly improved indetails without modification ofthemainrequirement: theyaretobegiven only
tothose whospend more than15percentoftheincome forpayment ofservices.
Toactivate export ofconstruction services, Decree No.101ofthePresident oftheRepublic
ofBelarus dated 24January 1997"OnSupport ofExport Activities ofEnterprises oftheConstruction
Complex oftheRepublic ofBelarus" (WT/ACC/BLR/5) hasprovided preferences toBelorussian legal
persons ontaxes andpayments.
Asregards thetransport sector, thescope ofStatesubsidies (financial aid)has,atpresent,
adefinite impact onthetransport services connected, firstofall,withthefulfilment ofurban passenger
transportation byelectric transport facilities andurban andsuburban bustransportation.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page83
Question 206:
Could Belarus specify what aretherequirements forobtaining awork permit? Andverify whether
theissuance ofawork permit issubject toaneconomic needs test? (Question 181,
WT/ACC/BLR/2).
Answer:
Entitiesincludingentitieswithoutformationofthelegalpersoncanattracttherequirednumber
offoreign citizens ifitisjustified thatequal specialists thatcanclaim these vacant jobsarenotpresent
among citizens ofBelarus.
Toobtain apermit forattraction offoreign specialists, entities, irrespective oftheformof
property, arerequired tosubmit anapplication, copies ofstatutory documents, certificates about the
State registration, anapproximate draftcontract withmigrant workers orthecontract withaforeign
contractual firm.
VI.2(d) Monopolies andexclusive service suppliers
Question 207:
Telecoms: Could Belarus establish whether there areanyplans tolicense additional operators
intheareas ofvoice telephony andmobile telecoms? Orwhether there areanyinitiatives toreduce
thescope ofthereserved services (long-distance andinternational communications services)?
(Question 184,WT/ACC/BLR/2)
Answer:
Atpresentperiod,itisnotplannedtolicenseadditionaloperatorsontheprovisionoftelephone
communication services.
Asregards theprovision ofland-based mobile radiotelephone communication (mobile
communication), itisplanned toissue, thisyear, onelicense forthecreation ofthenational network
oftypeintheGSM standard tobegiven tothewinner ofthecompetition fortheabove license. Itis
projected toconsider, aftertwotothreeyears, thepossibility ofissueofasecond license onthemobile
communication services intheGSM standard.
Norestrictions havebeenestablished forthecreation oflocalnetworks ofdispatch radio
communication ofdepartmental designation while theirnumber isregulated bytheavailability ofa
freeradio frequency resource.
Limitations onparticipation offoreign capital
Question 208:
Regarding thedetails ofregistration forjointventure andwholly-owned firms asalegalperson,
could Belarus explain whythelevel oftheregistration feeissetateight minimum salaries? Is
there anobligation fornewcompanies toemploy aminimum number ofBelarus citizens? Isthe
feedirectly related toadministrative costs?. (Question 187,WT/ACC/BLR/2).WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page84
Answer:
Feeforregistration intheamount ofeightminimum salaries isestablished byDecree No.436
oftheCabinet ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnApproval oftheRegulation ontheGeneral
Republican Registration ofEntities". There isnocommitment tohireadefinite number ofBelorussian
citizens. Theregistration feeispaidfromprofits oftheenterprise tobereferred tothecostofproduction.
Question 209:
Weunderstand thatregulations werenotdesigned tocause problems forforeign nationals. Could
Belarus confirm thatnational treatment isguaranteed? (Question 189,WT/ACC/BLR/2)
Answer:
Yes.Thenational treatment isguaranteed.
Financial services
Question 210:
Weunderstand thatBelarus willexamine carefully whether thenational interest testoncapital
transfers canbelifted totheextent necessary inorder nottoaffect thespecific commitments
undertaken regarding trade inservices. Willthereview ofcapital transfers becomplete intime
forthedrawing-up ofBelarus 'initial offer (Question 192,WT/ACC/BLR/2).
Answer:
Yes.
Question 211:
Itisstipulated thatthecriteria fordeciding onwhether capital exports areinnational interest
aretaken onacase-by-case basis upon submission ofdocuments. Could Belarus specify howmany
applications? Andwhat isthePassrate? (Question 185,WT/ACC/BLR/2).
Answer:
Since early1997about 350applications havebeenreceived fromentities ofdifferent forms
ofownership forgranting apermission ofcapital exports. 70applicants were refused tohavethe
permission onexport ofthecapital.
Question 212:
Could Belarus clarify whether there isanyreview planned ofthe49percentceiling offoreign
participation ininsurance andalsooftheseveral exceptions regarding national treatment (i.e.
ownership oflandandrealestate, acquisition ofState properly through privatization, licensing
requirements forsecurities dealings, post, telephone andtelegraph services andoperation ofradio
andTVstations plus min, authorized funds forbanks isECU 5million) (Question 193,
WT/ACC/BLR/2).WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page85
Answer:
The49percentceiling offoreign participation ininsurance companies isstillapplied.
Inaccordance withArticle 4oftheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnForeign Investments
ontheTerritoryoftheRepublicofBelarus"dated14November1991foreigninvestmentsontheterritory
oftheRepublic canbeexecuted intheforms of:
- sharedparticipationinenterprisescreatedtogetherwithBelorussianlegalandphysicalpersons;
- organisation ofanenterprise fullyowned byforeign investors;
- acquisition oftheenterprise, building, structure, stock orother securities;
- acquisition oftherighttouselandandother natural resources aswellasproperty rights;
- inanyother forms ofeconomic activities orother activities thatdonotcontradict the
legislation oftheRepublic.
Foreign legalandphysical persons, enterprises withforeign investments aswellasforeign
States, international associations andorganisations arenotallowed tohaveintheRepublic ofBelarus
plots oflandthrough therightofownership.
Plots oflandtotheabove subjects areallocated foruseonterms oflease for99years in
conformity withtheCode onLand oftheRepublic ofBelarus. Thisruleonopportunity ofacquisition
byforeign investors oftherightoflandusebutnotthelandproperty isenvisaged byArticle 5ofthe
LawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OntheRight ofOwnership ofLand" dated 16June1993.
Asregards property rights, itshould alsobementioned thatproperty (immovable property)
isprovided toforeign investors forlease onthebasis ofcontracts inconformity withtheLaw"On
Lease" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Acquisition ofimmovable property forowning isregulated alsobyArticle 26oftheLaw
onForeignInvestmentsontheTerritoryoftheRepublicofBelarus(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1).According
tothisArticle foreign investors aregiven theright tobuyoutenterprises (their shares) iflabour
collectives andother Belorussian subjects refuse toacquire suchenterprises (their shares) inaccordance
withtheprogramme ofprivatisation. Payment ofthecostofacquired enterprises anduncompleted
construction facilities canbemade bothinforeign currency andinthecurrency usedontheterritory
oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Incaseofprivatisation offacilities belonging tocommunal property ifprivatised byforeign
legalandphysical persons, theprivatisation bodies oflocalCouncils ofDeputies areobliged toobtain
apermit fromtheMinistry onManagement ofStateProperty andPrivatisation (Article 19oftheLaw
onDestatizationandPrivatisationofStatePropertyintheRepublicofBelarus,WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1).
IncaseofalienationbyState-ownedenterprises,amalgamations,organisationsandinstitutions
ofproperty owned bytheRepublic ofBelarus foreign legalandphysical persons enjoy thesame rights
asBelorussian receivers (buyers).
Accessofforeignpartnerstoservicesinthesphereofcommunicationisexercisedonlythrough
thecreation ofjointventures ontheterritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus andtheirregistration inthe
manner established bythelegislation oftheRepublic ofBelarus. Alicense isissued nottotheforeign
participant directly buttothejointventure formed withtheirparticipation.
TheRepublic ofBelarus isnotplanning nowtoreview theminimum authorized fundfor
banks thatisequal toECU 5million.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page86
VI.3 Market Access andNational Treatment
Question 213:
Please describe anyrestrictions ontheforms oflegal entities thatapply toforeign financial
institutions which areseeking todealinsecurities.
Answer:
Norestriction arestipulated bythelegislation oftheRepublic ofBelarus forthesetting up
offoreign financial institutions thatintend tooperate inthesphere ofsecurities. Requirements tothe
organisation offinancial institutions including foreign onesarelaiddown intheProvisional Regulation
ofNon-Banking Financial Organisations intheRepublic ofBelarus approved byResolution No.480/6
oftheMinistry ofFinance oftheRepublic ofBelarus andtheNational Bank dated 23July1996.
Question 214:
Please describe fully anyeligibility requirements orconditions which must besatisfied forthe
issuance orretention ofalicense todealinsecurities, other thanpassing theexamination with
theState Inspection onSecurities.
Answer:
Toelectspecialists thatsecure skilled fulfilment oftheirduties before theparticipants of
thesecurities market suchmethod asspecialists 'testing isused.
Requirements tothequalification ofcandidates toobtain attestation certificates arereflected
intheProgramme ofattestation ofspecialists totherightforexecution ofoperations withsecurities
thatisbeing developed bytheCommittee onSecurities oftheMinistry ofFinance oftheRepublic
ofBelarus (hereinafter theCommittee). TheProgramme includes:
- theoretical basisofprofessional knowledge thatreflect theworld experience offunctioning
ofthesecurities market;
- requirements ofthelegislation oftheRepublic ofBelarus thatregulate theissue, circulation,
- repayment andpledge ofsecurities (stocks, bonds, State securities, bills, etc.)aswellas
deposit certificates;
- issues ofprivatisation oftheState property;
- account ofoperations withsecurities, reporting, procedures ofpayment ofincomes (dividends
andinterests) andtaxation onsecurities;
- investment analysis.
Iftheattestation results arepositive thequalification certificate ofthefirst,second orthird
category isissued (hereinafter thecertificate) depending onthelevelofskills ofthespecialist.
Attestation forthefirstcategory certificate isallowed forpersons having higher economics
education aswellaspersons having higher education andarecord ofwork ofatleastoneyearinthe
capacityofspecialistonsecuritiesoftheprofessionalparticipant,thestockexchangeorthecorrespondent
entity oftheissuer.
Attestation forthesecond andthird category certificates isallowed forpersons whoare
18years ofage,havehigheducation andtrained atspecial courses onsecurities. Forpersons having
higher economics education thetraining attheabove courses isnotrequired.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page87
VII INSTITUTIONALBASEFORTRADEANDECONOMICRELATIONSWITHTHIRD
COUNTRIES
VII.1 Bilateral orPlurilateral Agreements Relating toForeign Trade inGoods andTrade
inServices
Question 215:
Please provide alistofallagreements between Belarus andother countries which provide for
preferential treatment, please supply information oneachofthese along thelinesofthestandard
format usedinWTO.
Answer:
Thepreferential treatment inrelation tothird countries isestablished inconformity with
Resolution No.72oftheCouncil ofMinisters dated 10February 1997, which issubmitted toWTO
Secretariat (SeeWT/ACC/BLR/5).
Alistofallagreements between Belarus andother countries which provide forpreferential
treatment, willbesubmitted inthestandard WTO format.
Question 216:
BelarusshouldadheretotheWTOAgreementonTradeinCivilAircraftfromthedateofaccession.
Answer:
Thisquestion willbeconsidered afterBelarus ’accession totheWTO.
Question 217:
Please provide atranslated copy oftheAgreement onPartnership andCo-operation withthe
European Union totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Thisdocument issubmitted totheWTO Secretariat. (Available intheSecretariat, Accessions
Division, Room 1126, forconsultation.)
Question 218:
Please provide totheWorking Party prior tothenextmeeting adescription oftheterms ofthe
Partnership andCo-operation Agreement withemphasis onanyprovisions fornational treatment
orforpreferential treatment ofEuropean Union imports ofgoods andservices vis-à-vis import
from other sources.
Answer:
Seeanswer toQuestion 217.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page88
VII.2 Economic Integration, Customs Unions andFree-trade Agreements
Question 219:
Weseekfurther information ontheCustoms Union between Belarus andRussia, andthecurrent
situation regarding implementation. Hasanyprogress beenmade towards adopting uniform rules
ontariffs andnon-tariff measures affecting foreign trade? Howwilltheagreement affect theability
ofBelarus tonegotiate market access commitments?
Answer:
Inaccordance with Article 2oftheCustoms Code oftheRepublic ofBelarus
(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)theterritoryoftheRepublicofBelarusformsasinglecustomsterritorywithin
which alllegalandphysical persons areobliged toobserve theeffective standards ofthenational customs
legislation. Inthiscase, theborders ofthecustoms territories arethecustoms border oftheRepublic
ofBelarus. Thecustoms border coincides withtheStateBorder oftheRepublic ofBelarus except for
cases withfreecustoms laws(Article 46oftheCustoms Code). Moreover, Article 1oftheTreaty
ontheUnion dated 2April 1997 establishes thateachMember oftheUnion preserves itsState
sovereignty, independence andterritorial integrity.
TheCustoms Committee oftheUnion ofBelarus andRussia hasbeensetupwhich develops,
within theframeworks oftheAgreement ontheCustoms Union between theRepublic ofBelarus and
theRussian Federation, regulatory documents onunification ofthetariff andnon-tariff regulations
offoreign trade.
Thefifthsession oftheIntegration Committee heldon05.06.97 approved theconceptual
approaches totheformation oftheCommon Customs Tariff ofcountries members oftheagreements
ontheCustoms Union thatstipulate co-ordination work onagreeing thecommon customs tariff as
aninterimstagetowardsthecompleteunificationoftariffsbythetimeofunificationofcustomsterritories
ofthemember states.
Inconformity withthedecision oftheIntegration Committee of25February 1997member
countries oftheCustoms Union shallindependently arrange documents onjoining theWorld Trade
Organisation, onmaking other international andeconomic agreements andtakemeasures on
implementation oftherights andfulfilment ofthecommitments thatstem, foreachofthem, from
agreements made earlier byeachparty withthirdcountries andtheirintegration unions.
Taking intoconsideration absence ofcustoms control ontheborder between Belarus and
Russia, theparties haveagreed toexercise customs control withthirdcountries (ifthegoods passacross
thewestern border) through united efforts oftheCustoms Services ofRussia andBelarus ontheterritory
oftheborder oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Atthesame timebearing inmind thefactthatthecreation oftheCustoms Union infull
accordance withtheWTO requirements mayrequire alongperiod oftime, Belarus considers necessary
toexamine therules andprovisions oftheCustoms Union afterthejoining theWTO andrelevant
notification ofthistrade regional agreement totheWTO Secretariat.
TheTreaty ontheUnion ofBelarus andRussia of2April 1997doesnotaffect theAgreement
onCustoms Union of20January 1995 between theRepublic ofBelarus, theRussian Federation and
theRepublic ofKazakhstan since inaccordance withArticle 5oftheTreaty itdoesnotconcern the
rights andduties oftheParties onother international treaties towhich theyareparticipants andisnot
directed against thirdcountries.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page89
Article 6oftheTreaty ontheUnion stipulates thattheTreaty ontheformation ofthe
Community ofBelarus andRussia dated 2April 1996 continues tohaveforce inthepartthatdoes
notcontradict theTreaty ontheUnion.
Question 220:
Could Belarus provide more details onthestate ofimplementation oftheCISFreeTrade Area
Agreement?
Answer:
Forthepurpose ofcreation ofconditions forastep-by-step further development ofthe
economic integration oftheCIScountries, freetrade zones areformed thatenvisage thecancellation
ofcustoms duties fortradeingoods ofthenational origin when theyaremoved fromcustoms territory
intoothers. Atpresent, thedraftProtocol isbeing developed, within theframework ofbasic measures
ofintegration development oftheCIScountries for1997, onthemechanism ofimplementation ofthe
Agreement onthecreation ofthefreetrade zone dated 15April 1997.
Question 221:
Please identify, including HSnumbers, anyitems thatdonotreceive dutyfreeaccess under the
CISmultilateral freetrade areaagreement.
Answer:
Agreements oftheCIScountries onfreetrade stipulate duty-free trade.
Question 222:
Have theRepublics ofRussia, Kazakhstan andBelarus already agreed toaschedule toharmonize
tariffs pursuant tothecustoms union agreement? Please provide acopy ofthisschedule tothe
WTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
No.
Question 223:
What isthecurrent trade-weighted average MFN customs tariff intheRepublic ofBelarus? What
willtheinitial trade-weighted average customs tariff rateofthecustoms union common external
tariff asapplied byBelarus be?What willthetrade-weighted average customs tariff ofthecommon
external tariff when fullyimplemented be?Inwhat yearwillthecommon external tariff befully
implemented? Will Belarus 'initial goods market access offer incorporate theschedule of
harmonization ofthecommon external tariff.
Answer:
Theaverage MFN weighted tariff equals to14.3percent.
Asregards other questions ofthisparagraph, these issues arebeing worked at.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page90
Question 224:
Please submit atranslated copy oftheCustoms Union Agreement withKazakhstan andRussia
totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Copies oftheAgreement onCustoms Union andoftheTreaty ontheJoining oftheKyrgyz
Republic totheAgreements onCustoms Union areenclosed.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page91
ANNEX 1
Changes intheTrade Regime
Over thisperiod, some alterations havebeenmade inthetrade regime oftheRepublic of
Belarus:
Decrees ofthePresident oftheRepublic ofBelarus
No.31dated 25January 1996"OntheImprovement oftheGovernment Monetary Policy". TheDecree
determined therange oflegalpersons andentrepreneurs whoareexempted fromthemandatory sale
offoreign currency. (WT/ACC/BLR/5)
No.46dated 5February 1996 "OnProvisional Export Customs Tariff". TheDecree extended the
timeofvalidity oftheprovisional customs tariff oftheRepublic ofBelarus until1January 1997.
No.108dated18March1996"OntheBetteringofForeignEconomicActivities".TheDecreecancelled
thequoting andlicensing ofexport ofpetroleum andpetroleum products, allowed export without
registration ofcontracts ofsome kinds ofhydrocarbon materials byeconomic subjects thatmanufacture
nitric andphosphorous fertilisers, andallowed export ofthese products inexcess oftheestablished
quota without licenses andregistration ofcontracts provided thatsuchproducts aremanufactured from
rawandothermaterials owned bythecustomer whoisnon-resident oftheRepublic. (WT/ACC/BLR/5)
No.114dated 20March 1996"OnFreeEconomic Zones ontheTerritory oftheRepublic ofBelarus".
TheDecreeregulatestheprocedureofformationofFreeEconomicZonesoftheterritoryoftheRepublic.
(WT/ACC/BLR/5)
No.120dated 25March 1996 "OnMaking Amendments andAdditions toDecree; No.116ofthe
President oftheRepublic ofBelarus, dated 20March 1995, No.300,dated 16August 1995andNo.45
dated 2February 1996." TheDecree introduced theuseoftheexcise stamp onalcoholic andtobacco
products imported intotheRepublic.
No.499dated28November1996"OnCancellationofProvisionalExportCustomsTariffoftheRepublic
ofBelarus".
No.48dated14January1997"OnMakingAmendmentsandAdditionstoDecreeNo.52ofthePresident
oftheRepublic ofBelarus, dated 8February 1995". TheDecree altered theperiod oftransfer ofcurrency
obtained from realisation ofproducts forexport contracts. (WT/ACC/BLR/5)
No.101dated 24January 1987"OnSupporting Exports byEnterprises intheConstruction Complex
oftheRepublic ofBelarus". TheDecree determined measures onstimulation ofexport ofconstruction
work. (WT/ACC/BLR/5)
Decrees oftheGovernment oftheRepublic ofBelarus
No.18dated10January1996"OnMakingAmendmentsandAdditionstoDecreeNo.419oftheCabinet
ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus, dated 5August 1995". TheDecree determined theprocedure
ofimport intotheterritory ofBelarus ofcertain kinds ofproducts.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page92
No.127dated 21February 1996 "OnSupply toUsers oftheRepublic ofMineral Fertilisers and
Realisation ofThem forExport in1996". TheDecree determined theprocedure oftherealisation for
export ofmineral fertilisers manufactured intheRepublic.
No.322dated 16May1996 "OnAltering Rental Rates forExport ofWood andWood Products".
TheDecree introduced alterations intothewood export rental rates.
No.509dated 2September 1996 "OnCollection ofValue-Added Tax". TheDecree determined the
listsofcommodities liable tospecial VAT rates. (WT/ACC/BLR/5)
No.556dated 22August 1996 "OnAllocation ofQuotas forandLicensing ofImport ofFood Raw
Material, Spirit andAlcoholic Drinks". TheDecree temporarily introduction intheterritory ofthe
Republic ofBelarus ofthesystem ofquotas andlicensing ofFood RawMaterial, Spirit andAlcoholic
Drinks. (WT/ACC/BLR/5)
No.839dated 27December 1996"OnSupply toUsers oftheRepublic ofMineral Fertilisers andthe
Realisation ofThem forExport in1997". TheDecree determined theprocedure oftherealisation for
export ofmineral fertilisers manufactured intheRepublic.
No.72dated10February1997"OnCustomsTariffsoftheRepublicofBelarus".TheDecreeestablished
newratesofimport customs duties. Ascompared totheratesapproved byDecree No.340oftheCabinet
ofMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus, dated 29June1996 "OnModification ofCustoms Tariff of
theRepublic ofBelarus" (with amendments introduced byDecree No.624oftheCabinet ofMinisters
oftheRepublic ofBelarus, dated 13November 1995) "OnAltering Rates ofCustoms Duties forThings
Imported intotheCustoms Territory oftheRepublic ofBelarus") about 40percentoftherates were
modified, mostly increased. (WT/ACC/BLR/5)
No.197dated 14March 1997 "OnIntroduction ofCommodity Nomenclature ofForeign Economic
Activity ofCommonwealth ofIndependent States". (WT/ACC/BLR/5)WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page93
ANNEX 2
Balance ofPayments for1993-1996 (million US$)
1993 1994 1995 1996
Current operations account -403.9 -505.7 -567.4 -909.3
Goods -504.5 -556.2 -777.4 -1335.8
Export 1863.5 2510 4688.5 5403.5
including toCIScountries 1026 1478.6 2912.1 3587.6
Import 2368 3066.2 5465.9 6739.3
including CIScountries 1372.3 2091.5 3645 4490.8
Services 40.7 24.2 131.4 364.3
Non-factorial services 48.1 52.1 182.4 429.7
Interests -7.4 -27.9 -51 -65.4
Transfers 59.9 26.4 78.6 62.2
Capital andfinancial account 445.5 526.7 179.3 454
Capital account 0 23.8 7.3 47.2
Capital transfers 0 23.8 7.3 47.2
Financial account 445.5 502.9 172 406.8
Direct investments 17.6 10.5 14.7 69.5
Portfolio investments 0 0 0 5
Other investments 427.9 492.4 157.3 332.3
-Middle- andlong-term capital 329.9 251.4 71.1 38.6
Receipts 343.9 355.5 191 124.7
Depreciation -14 -104.1 -119.9 -86.1
-Short-term capital 98 241 86.2 293.7
including reciprocal debts of
enterprises46.7 46.7 80.9 272.3
Errors andomissions -15.7 98.5 212.9 181.7
General balance 25.9 119.5 -175.2 -273.6
Financing -25.9 -119.5 175.2 273.6
Netdemands ofthebanking
system (netreserve assets):-25.9 -118.2 -21.4 27.4
-Netdemands oftheCentral
Bank49.9 -89.2 -100.2 47.7
-Commercial banks -75.8 -29 78.8 -20.3
Emergency financing 0 -1.3 196.6 246.2
Alteration ofdebts service delay 0 6 9.5 14.5
Other emergency financing 0 -7.3 187.1 231.7
Growth ofnon-payment for
gas0 -7.3 187.1 219.6
Growth ofnon-payment for
electricity0 0 0 12.1
-13.1% -13.3% -5.5% -6.9%WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page94
1993 1994 1995 1996
inpercent 134.7% 186.8% 115.3%
reference articles 223.4% 261.3% 184.9%
account ofcurrent operations in%of
GDP62.5 114.6 402.4 478
Volume ofexport in%ofthe
previous period0.32 0.45 0.88 0.85
Volume ofimport in%ofthe
previous period467.5 976.45 1293.73 1357.54
Total reserves inmillion dollars (at
theendoftheperiod)15.1% 25.7% 12.6% 10.3%
inmonths ofimport 24.5% 38.1% 26.6% 23.3%
Foreign debts attheendoftheperiod,
million dollars*
Foreign debts in%ofGDP
Servicing ofdebts in%ofexport of
commodities andnon-factorial
services
*Total foreign debts attheendofthe
periodWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page95
ANNEX 3
ListofGoods ofWhich Export isCarried OutUnder Licenses oftheMinistry
ofForeign Economic Relations Issued Within Limits ofVolumes oftheEstablished Quotas
HSCode Thename ofthegoods Thebasis for
licensingGATT rational
1 2 3 4
3101-3105 Fertilizers The rules ofa
Commission ofthe
ECNo.1031/ 92
from 23.04.92
Article XX(h)5111, 5112 Fabrics from awool
yarn
Theagreement
between theEC
andRepublic of
Belarus about
trade inthetextile
goods (isinitialled
byNovember 7,
1995)520411000,520419000 Cotton thread
5205, 5206 Cotton yarn
5208-5212 Woven fabrics ofcotton
5306, 5309 Yarn andwoven fabrics
offlax
540720110, 5408 Woven fabrics of
artificial fibres
5508 Yarn ofstaple orwaste
synthetic fibres
5509, 5510 Yarn ofsynthetic and
artificial fibres
5512-5516 Fabrics ofsynthetic and
artificial fibres
560741000-560750900 Twine, cordage, ropes
andcables ofsynthetic
fabrics
580211000, 580219000 Terry towelling fabrics
580390 Interweaved binding
fabrics
610110-610130, 610210-610230,
610331000-610339000, 610411000-
610459000, 6105, 6106, 6107,
610821000-610899100, 6110,
611211000-611220000, 6113, 6114Knitted wear
6115 Panty-hose andtights,
stockings
6117 Knitted accessories of
clothesWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page96
HSCode Thename ofthegoods Thebasis for
licensingGATT rational
6201, 6202, 620311000-620321000,
620341100,620341900, 620342310-
620342350,620342900, 620343190,
620343900, 620349190, 620349500,
620411000-620421000,
620431000,620432900, 620433900,
620439190,620441000-620444000,
620451000-620459100, 620461100,
620462310, 620462330,620510000-
620530000, 620620000-620640000,
621030000Textile sewing items,
clothes
Theagreement
between theEC
andRepublic of
Belarus about
trade inthetextile
goods (isinitialled
byNovember 7,
1995)Article XX(h)630120100,630130100, 630140100,
630190100Blankets, rugs
6302 Bedlinen, table linen,
toilet andkitchen linen
630311000-630319000, 630411000,
630491000Curtains, drapes
6305 Sacks andbags ofakind
used forthepacking of
goods
630710100,630790100, 6308 Napkins, sets
7204 Wastes andscraps of
black metalsNecessaryto
ensureessential
quantitiesto
domestic industryArticle XX(i)
7404. 7503. 7602 Wastes andscraps of
colour metalsWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page97
ListofGoods ofWhich Import isCarried OutUnder
Licenses oftheMinistry ofForeign Economic Relations
HSCode Thename ofthegoods Ministries ofRepublic ofBelarus
agreeing licensing,
1 2 3
3808 chemical means ofplant
protectionMinistry ofAgriculture
2618-2620, 3915 Industrial waste, slag Ministry ofNatural Resources
ListofGoods Produced inBelarus ofWhich Export isProhibited
HSCode Thename ofthegoods Article ofGATT under which
thismeasure isintroduced
1 2 3
010600990, 060299410,
060299510, 060299590Wild plants withmedicinal
application andrawmaterials
from such plantsXX(j)
9705, 9706 Antiques andsubjects ofa
collecting, goods received asthe
humanitarian aidXX(j)WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page98
ANNEX 4
Utilization ofQuantitative Limits Established on
Export ofTextile Products toECCountries
Utilization ofquantitative limits onexport oftextile products made US$56.21 million for
10months oftheyear1997(US$24.74 million inDirect export andUS$31.47 million inOPT). The
increase made US$15.58 million (38percent) incomparison withtheappropriate period of1996
(Appendix 2).
Theincrease inamounts ofutilization wasachieved duetothegrowth ofexport ofproducts
onthefollowing categories:
Category Description ofproducts Increase incomparison with
10months of1996, %
5 pullovers, waistcoats 60
7 women ’sblouses 35
8 men’sshirts 82
15 overcoats, raincoats 33
24 pyjamas, dressing gowns 60
83 knitted wear, overcoats 12
117 flaxfabrics 20
WenotethattheECquantitative limit oncategory 117(flax fabrics )wascompletely
exhausted for5months ofthecurrent year. Theworking level ofquotas received byapplication of
normal flexibilities wasalsoexhausted fortheperiod of6months of1997. Inthisconnection, the
request about theapplication ofexceptional flexibilities wassenttotheEuropean Commission. But
theCommission didnottakepositive decision onthisquestion.
Reduction inamounts ofutilization oftheECquantitative limits isobserved onthefollowing
categories:
Category Description ofproducts Reduction incomparison with
10months of1996, %
20 cotton bedlinen 25
29 women ’ssuits 16
90 ropes 100
118 flaxbedlinen 36
Fortenmonths ofthecurrent year, fivecategories of34have been exhausted on
100percentandmore, sixcategories -on50percentandmore. Thepercentage ofutilization of
quantitative limits onother categories makes 5-15percent. In1997, 380licenses onexport oftextile
products totheECcountries havebeenissued (fortheappropriate period oftheyear1996 -308).WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page99
APPENDIX 1
Information ontheUtilization ofQuantitative Limits forExport ofTextile Products toEC
Countries Carried OutWithin theFramework oftheAgreement onTrade inTextile Products
Category Quota
level1996Utilization for
10month of
1996Utilization %Quota level
1997Utilization for
10month of
1997Utilization
%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 1125 100 8.9 1164 0 0
2 2820 1935.64 68.6 2919 1966.43 67
3 158 0 0 164 0 0
4 671000 187700 28 701000 355558 51
5 570000 227783 40 596000 649640 112
6 298000 85194 28.6 311000 258500 83
7 400000 262085 65 418000 425112 112
8 390000 32054 8.2 408000 459120 112
9 243000 0 0 254000 492 0.19
12 3800000 1000000 26.3 3990000 1000000 25
13 1910000 120415 6.3 1967000 136875 6
15 493000 283669 57.5 515000 463898 90
16 81000 600 0.7 85000 14010 16
20 231000 77488 33.5 239000 20247 8
21 515000 338275 65.7 538000 386638 71
22 255000 0 0 269000 0 0
23 164000 0 0 172000 0 0
24 393000 71675 18.2 413000 322800 78
26 615000 102720 16.7 643000 48780 8
27 615000 60674 9.9 643000 163107 26
29 140000 49000 35 146000 27500 18.84
33 255000 0 0 266000 0 0
36 760000 192765 25.4 802000 107749 13.44
37 300000 0 0 315000 0 0
39 130000 23068 17.7 137000 41600 30
50 82 7400 9 86 15 17.4
67 218 375 0.2 229 3404 1
73 148000 148000 100 155000 155000 100
74 214000 20290 9.5 223000 28203 12
83 90000 27250 30.3 93000 39807.73 42
90 128000 38350 29.9 134000 0 0
115 57000 0 0 60000 0 0
117 580000 538759 93 609000 707180 113
118 270000 207126 76.7 284000 87060 30WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page100
APPENDIX 2
Utilization ofQuantitative Limits onExport orTextile Products toECCountries for
TenMonths of1997 inComparison With theAppropriate Period of1996, Value Terms
31October 1996
million US$31October 1997
million US$Increase
%
OPT 17.99 31.47 74
Direct export 22.64 24.74 9
Total 40.63 56.21 38WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page101
ANNEX 5
ListofPests, Plant Illness andWeeds that
areinQuarantine intheRepublic ofBelarus
PLANT PESTS
Icerya purchsi Mask
Spodoptera litura Farb
Hyphantria cunea Drury
Unaspis citriComat
Pantomorus leucoloma Boh
Tetradacus citriChen
Pseudococcus citriculus Green
Unaspis yanonensis Kuw
Grapholitha molesta Busck
Numonia pyrivorella Mats
Spodoptera littoralis Bolsd
Ceroplastes rusci L
Quadraspidiotus perniciosus Coms
Trogoderma granarium Ev
Phthorimaea operculella Zell
Callosobruchus chinensis L
Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say
Carposina niponensis Wlaghm
Ceratitis capitata Wied
Pseudaulacaspis pentagona Targ
Viteus vitifolii Fitch
Pectinophora gossypiella Saund
Bemisia tabaci
Dialeurodes citriAshm
Phyllocnistris citrella Stainton
Pseudococcus gehani Green
Pseudococcus comstocki Kuw
Callosobruchus maculatus F
Caulophilus latinasus Say
Rhagoletis pomonella Walah
Agrilus maliMats
Popillia japonica Newm
Ceroplastes japonicus Green
Lopholeucaspis japonica Ckll
PLANT ILLNESS
Fungies
Glomerella gossypii (South) Edgerton
Didymella chrysanthemi (Tassi) GaretGull
Puccinia horiana PHenn
Angiosorus solani Thirum etO’Brien
Tilletia (Neovossia) indica MitraMycosphaerella linorum (Wr.) Garsia Rada
Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb) Percival
Phymototrichum omnivorum (Schear) Duggar
Cochliobolus heterostrophus (Drechsler)
Drechsler PacaT(Helminthosporium maydis
Nisicado etMiyake)
Phomopsis helianthi
Bacterial
Erwinia stewartii
Pseudomonas caryophylli
Xanthomonas campestris pvhyacinthi
Erwinia amylovora
Xanthomonas campestris pvcitri
Nematoidal
Globodera pallida (Stone) Mulvey etStone
Globodera rostochiensis (Woll) MetSt.
WEEDS
Ambrosia artemisiifolia L
Ambrosia trifida L
Ambrosia psilostachya DC
Ivaaxillaris Purah
Acroptilon repens DC
Solanum claeagnifolium Cav
Solanum rostratum Dun
Solanum triflorum L
Solanum carolinense L
Cuscuta sp.sp.
Strige sp.sp.
Cenchrus pauciflorus Benth (fribuloldes L)
Note: Listofobjects which registered onthe
territory oftheRepublic ofBelarus:
Grapholitha molesta Busck
Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say
Globodera pallida (Stone) Mulvey etStone
Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb) Percival
Mycosphaerella linorum (Wr.) Garsia Rada
Cuscuta sp.sp.
Ambrosia artemisiifolia LWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page102
ANNEX 6
ListofResidents oftheFreeEconomic Zone "Brest"
Residents oftheFEZ"Brest" Sphere ofactivities Declared authorized
fund
1. Belorussian-German JV
"Westline JSC", village
ofKleyniki, Brest regionindustrialproductionactivities,
transport carriage, wholesale and
retail saleDM4,145,580
2. Collective farm
"Pogranichnik", Brest
Regionagricultural produce Rbl.30,637,600
3. Scientific andProduction
Firm "Variant-Plus",
Brestresearch activities, developments,
educational, methodological and
consultant activitiesRbl.10,000,000
4. Foreign Enterprise "Brest
Pharma International Co.,
Ltd." (Malta), Brestproductionandrealisationof
medicinal preparations, cosmetics
andperfumesUS$20,000
5. Production Firm "Nikor",
Brestproduction ofconsumer goods,
organisationoftransportand
automobile services, purchase and
agency activitiesRbl.40,000,000
6. Foreign Enterprise "AG-
MAR-BEL" (Poland),
Brestproduction offurniture andother
wood products, wholesale andretail
saleUS$80,000
7. Foreign Enterprise
"Lesprom" (Czech
Republic), Brestdeepprocessing ofwood, production
ofconstruction materials, wholesale
andretail saleUS$80,000
8. Closed Joint-Stock
Company "Soyuz", Bresttrade agency, construction work Rbl.50,000,000
9. Foreign Enterprise
"Condor" (Germany),
Brestproduction ofpaints andvarnishes
(lacquers)US$20,000
10. International Enterprise
"Intermebel", village of
Kozlovichi, Brest Regionproduction ofmodular andoffice
exclusive furniture, furniture for
polyclinics, kindergartens, trade
placesRbl.450,000,000
11. DSPMK-27 construction work, production of
asphaltRbl.40,941,000,000
12. Belorussian-German JV
"Delfa-Byg"production ofconsumer goods DM85,000
13. Brest region wholesale
andagency activities
Firm ofBelorussian
Concern ofmaterial
resourcesState purchase, export andimport Rbl.19,140,000
14. Production and
Commercial Firm "SLM-
Trust"wholesale andretail sale,production
ofconsumergoods,food,
construction materialsRbl.10,000,000WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page103
Residents oftheFEZ"Brest" Sphere ofactivities Declared authorized
fund
15. Closed Joint-Stock
Company "Bels"production ofoffice furniture,
consumer goodsRbl.10,000,000
16. Belorussian-Poland JV
"Belorussian Coffee
Company"production ofcoffee andchocolate US$90,000
17. "Talan", Ltd. production and sale ofmodular
furnitureRbl.10,000,000
18. Belorussian-Poland JV
"Anrex"production ofmodular furniture and
materials forfurnitureUS$300,000
19. Belorussian-Poland JV
"Black-Red-White"productionoffurniturefrom
materials of"Anrex" JVUS$800,000
20. Foreign Enterprise "Sif-
Brest" (Germany)organisation oftransport anddispatch
agency activities servicesDM887,945WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page104
ANNEX 7
Intellectual Property Regime
Inaccordance withtheParis Convention fortheProtection ofIndustrial Property towhich
theRepublic ofBelarus isamember, industrial property facilities include inventions, industrial
specimens, trademarks, service marks, useful models, trade names andorigin reference aswellas
repression ofunfair competition.
Today, theRepublic ofBelarus hasformed alegislative basis thatassures theprotection of
thefollowing facilities:
Inventions
The Law "On Patents forInventions" isinforce asfrom 5February 1993
(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1). TheLawstipulates theexpertise ofinventions according tothree criteria:
innovation (absolute world-wide), invention levelandindustrial applicability. Thesystem ofdeferred
expertise isapplied. Thetimeofthepatent validity is20years.
Atpresent, theNational Assembly oftheRepublic ofBelarus hasdeveloped andpassed in
thefirstreading thedraft Law"OnPatents forInventions andUseful Models" thatregulates legal
relations inthesphere ofprotection ofinventions anduseful models within theframework ofthesingle
legalact.ThedraftLawhasbeensubmitted toWIPO forexpertise tocheck itscompliance withthe
provisions oftheTRIPS Agreement. Allremarks were taken intoaccount bythedraftLaw.
Industrial Designs
Thenecessary conditions fortheprotection oftheindustrial designs areinnovation, original
character andindustrial applicability.
Thepatent forindustrial designs isvalidfortenyears withthepossibility ofextension forfive
years.
Trademarks
The Law oftheRepublic ofBelarus "On Trademarks and Service Marks"
(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) regulates therelations related totheregistration anduseoftrademarks and
service marks. Trademarks andservice marks canberegistered andobtain protection iftheymeetthe
requirements oftheLawaccording totheshape. Trademarks canbetextual, pictorial, three-dimensional
orascombinations ofsuchofanycolour orcolour combination. Asregards thecontent trademarks
maynotberegistered iftheydonothavefeatures ofdifferentiation, thatis,theyareidentical orsimilar
tosuchextent thattheycanbeconfused withtrademarks registered earlier orsubmitted forregistration
intheRepublic ofBelarus inthename ofanother person inrelation tohomogeneous commodities.
Registration ofthetrademark isvalid fortenyears fromthedateofreceipt oftheapplication
bythePatent Office. Thetimeofregistration canbeextended, atrequest oftheowner, fortenyears
eachtime.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page105
Kinds ofPlant
TheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnPatents forKinds ofPlants" regulates therelations
arising inconnection withthecreation (detection orgrowing), thelegalprotection anduseofkinds
ofplants. Akindisgiven thelegal protection ifitpossesses features ofnovelty, differentiation,
homogeneity andstability. Inthiscasetherightfortheplantkindiscertified bythepatent. Thepatent
certifies theexclusive right forthekindofplant. Thescope ofproperty rights ofthepatent owner
forthekindofplant isidentical tothescope oftherights ofthepatent owner fortheinvention. The
single difference isthattheprotection ofkinds ofplants concerns onlyreproductive materials (seeds)
butnotthegrowing andsaleoftheplants themselves. Inthisconnection Article 9oftheLawdetermines
theexpiration ofrights ofthepatent owner asimpossibility tobananyactions inrelation toanymaterial
ofthekindofplantunder protection afterithasbeenputintocirculation, ifsuchactions arenotaimed
atafuture proliferation ofthegiven kind. Thepatent forthekindofplant isvalid for25years from
thedateofregistration ofthekindintheRegister ofProtected Kinds.
Patent duties andfeesforalltypes ofactions connected withtheapplication oftherightfor
theindustrial property facilities protected intheRepublic ofBelarus were established bydecrees of
theCabinet oftheMinisters oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Carrying onitsactivity within theframework ofthenational andinternational lawonprotection
ofindustrial property theState Patent Committee hadreceived (by1June 1997) 5,752 applications
forinventions (ofthem, 3,112 from national applicants and2,640 from foreign applicants), 305
applications forindustrial specimens (ofthem 220fromnational applicants and85applications from
foreign applicants). Thenumber ofapplications fortrademarks fortheirregistration according tothe
national procedure constitutes 8,959 (ofthem 4,202 fromnational applicants and4,757 fromforeign
applicants), andforregistration according totheprocedure oftheMadrid Agreement -15,213
applications. Thenumber ofpatents forinventions issued is1,524, patents forindustrial specimens
-135,thenumber oftrademarks registered according tothenational procedure is6,280 andaccording
toMadrid Agreement procedure -19,969.
Tobring theforeign trade regime oftheRepublic ofBelarus incorrespondence withtherules
oftheTRIPS Agreement, draftLaws oftheRepublic ofBelarus havebeenprepared: "OnInventions,
Industrial Specimens andKinds ofPlants", "OnLegal Protection ofIntegrated Circuits Analogy", "On
Trade Names", "OnSuppression ofUnfair Competition" and"OnthePatent Court". These lawswill
bepassed in1997-1998 and,following theirpassing, theinternal legislation canbeconsidered as
sufficient foradequate andeffective protection ofintellectual property rights.
TheRepublicenvisagesmeasuresforassuringthefulfilmentinthefullscopeofnationaltreatment
principle inthefullscope. Atpresent, thesizeoftheduties isdifferent fornational andforeign applicants
inviewofdifficulties ofeconomic development during theperiod oftransition. In1998, itisplanned
todevelop anewsystem ofpatent duties andfeesthatwillbeuniform forforeign andnational applicants.
Despite thefactthatthecivilprocedural legislation oftheRepublic ofBelarus corresponds
togeneral commitments oftheTRIPS Agreement andnospecial conditions existthatwould contradict
theParis Convention. Thecurrent civilandcriminal legislation doesnotfullyassures theprevention
ofviolation ofintellectual property rights. However, thisdiscrepancy willberesolved afterthepassing
oftheLaw"OnthePatent Court oftheRepublic ofBelarus".
Inaddition tonational patent marks, therelations inthesphere ofprotection anduseofindustrial
property intheRepublic ofBelarus areregulated byinternational agreements.WT/ACC/BLR/7
Page106
ThedraftLaw"OnIntroduction ofAlterations andAdditions intotheLaw"OntheProcedure
ofMaking,FulfilmentandDenunciationofInternationalAgreementsoftheRepublicofBelarus"includes
provisions thatgenerally recognised principles ofinternational lawandstandards ofinternational
agreement oftheRepublic ofBelarus thathavecome intoforcearepartofthelawinforceintheterritory
oftheRepublic ofBelarus.
Asof14April 1993theRepublic ofBelarus became participant ofthefollowing international
agreements:
- Paris Convention fortheProtection ofIndustrial Property;
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT);
- Madrid Agreement fortheRepression;
- Nairobi Treaty ontheProtection oftheOlympic Symbol;
In1997-1998 theRepublic ofBelarus willjointheRome Convention fortheProtection of
Performers,ProducersofPhonogramsandBroadcastingOrganizations,StrasbourgAgreementConcerning
theInternational Patent Classification, NiceAgreement Concerning theInternational Classification
ofGoods andServices forthePurposes oftheRegistration ofMarks (Geneva 1977, withamendments
1979), Locarno Agreement Establishing anInternational Classification forIndustrial Designs (1968).
On14July1997theLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus waspassed "OnJoining bytheRepublic
ofBelarus theBernConvention onProtection ofLiterature andArtWorks (Paris Actof29July1971
asamended on28September 1979)".
Accession oftheRepublic ofBelarus totheWTO andrealisation oftheagreement between
theWTO andWIPO ontradeaspects ofintellectual property rights requires thatthenational legislation
bebrought incorrespondence withtheprovisions oftheTRIPS. Tothisend,thedraftLawofRepublic
ofBelarus "OnPatents forInventions andUseful Models" hasbeen forwarded forexpertise for
compliance withtheTRIPS. TheArticles oftheTRIPS Agreement willalsobetaken intoaccount during
thedevelopment ofdraftlaws"OnMaking Amendments andAdditions totheCriminal Lawofthe
Republic ofBelarus" and"OnMaking Amendments andAdditions totheCode onAdministrative
Offenses oftheRepublic ofBelarus"; these alterations willbefinally developed inDecember 1997.
Thefollowing draftlawshavebeendeveloped andareatthestage ofagreement: "OnLegal
Protection ofIntegrated Circuits Topology" and"OnTrade Names". These lawsareplanned tobe
passed in1998.WT/ACC/BLR/7
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ANNEX 8
Information onTechnical Barriers toTrade
1. Description ofrelevant laws, regulations, administrative orders, etc.,relating toimplementation
andadministration oftechnical barriers totrade.
Thefollowing legalactsregulate standardization andconformity assessment:
- TheLawoftheRepublicofBelarus"OnCertificationofProducts,WorksandServices",adopted
on5September 1995 (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1), establishes legal basis formandatory and
voluntary certification ofproducts, works andservices intheRepublic, regulates legalrelations
arising intheprocess ofcertification aswellasrights, obligations andresponsibilities of
participants ofcertification;
- TheLawoftheRepublic ofBelarus "OnProtection ofConsumers ’Rights", adopted on19
December 1993 andentered intoforce on1January 1994 (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1), which
establishes therights ofconsumers inaccordance withtheUNResolution 39/248 "Guidelines
forConsumer Protection";
- Article 6oftheLaw"OnCertification ofProducts, Works andServices" andArticle 13of
theLaw"OnProtection ofConsumers ’Rights" statethatproducts, which shall tosatisfy
requirements related tothesecurity oflife,health, orproperty ofconsumer ortoenvironmental
protection, aresubject tomandatory certification intheNational Certification System, followed
bymarking ofproducts withthesignofconformity tothese requirements. Thisstatement
concerns bothdomestic andimported goods.
TheListofproducts subject tomandatory certification inBelarus isdefined by:
- Resolution No.635oftheCabinet ofMinisters of22September 1993(inforce from1January
1994);
- Resolution No.1oftheCommittee onStandardization, Metrology andCertification
(BELSTANDART) of28February 1994;
- Order No.179ofGOSSTANDART of27October 1995;
- Resolution No.260oftheCabinet ofMinistry of16April 1996;
- Order No.545oftheMinistry ofEducation andScience of19December 1996;
- Resolution No.447oftheCabinet ofMinistry of7May1997.
TheStateStandardization System, theNational Certification andAccreditation Systems have
beenestablished inaccordance withrequirements ofISOandIECinternational standards, andEuropean
Standards EN45000 andEN29000.
TheStateStandardization System andtheLaw"OnStandardization" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)
establish thefollowing obligatory requirements:
- requirements ofstandards related tothesecurity oflife,health andproperty ofcitizens,
environmental protection, interchangeability andcompatibility;
- other requirements ifthemanufacture hasmade awritten application onconformity ofhis
products tothese requirements.WT/ACC/BLR/7
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TheLaw"OnAssuranceofMeasurementsUniformity"(WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1)oftheRepublic
ofBelarus, adopted on5September 1995, isvalid inmetrology. TheLawspecifies thebasis oflegal
metrology andisdirected atassurance ofmeasurements uniformity, legaldefence oflegalentities from
sequences ofinaccurate andincorrect measurements aswellasregulates relations between State
managerial bodies oftheRepublic ofBelarus andeconomic entities onthematters ofmanufacturing,
using, repairing, selling, importing andhiring outofmeasuring instruments.
Ifmandatory standards areviolated, theStateSurveillance Bodies forObservance ofStandards
havetherights toimpose finesamounting to25percentofthevalue ofsoldproducts. Thisprocedure
isestablished byResolution No.360oftheCabinet ofMinisters of2June1993. Iftherequirements
formandatorycertificationofproductsareviolated,themanufacture(seller)issubjecttoafineamounting
to100percentofthevalue ofsoldproducts. Thisfineisestablished bytheLaw"OnProtection of
Consumers ’Rights" ofconsumer goods, andalsoincluded intheLaw"OnCertification ofProducts
andServices" (WT/ACC/BLR/1/Add.1) inrespect ofother products andservices.
TheRepublic ofBelarus isafullmember oftheInternational Standardization Organization
(ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization ofLegal Metrology
(OIML), hasjointinthe"Agreement concerning theAdoption ofUniform Conditions ofApproval
andReciprocal Recognition ofApproval forMotor Vehicle Equipment andParts" (Decree No.247
ofthePresident oftheRepublic ofBelarus of3September 1994).
TheRepublic ofBelarus hassigned theAgreements onMutual Recognition ofCertificates of
Conformity between Belarus andeachofthefollowing countries: eachoftheCIScountries, China,
Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Slovak Republic andTurkey.
2.(a) Theprocedure forelaborating standards andequivalent documents isestablished bythestandard
oftheState Standardization System (SSS) -STB1.2.-93 SSSoftheRepublic ofBelarus. Procedure
ofelaboration andadoption oflaws.
(b) Anenquiry service hasbeenestablished forallcountries toprovide reliable information on
standardization andconformity assessment (certification) aswellasonstandards, technical norms other
datainthisareainaccordance withtherequirements ofArticles 10.1and10.3oftheWTO Agreement
onTechnical Barriers toTrade:
TheState Committee forStandardization, Metrology andCertification (GOSSTANDART) -
TheRepublic Body forStandardization, Metrology andCertification.
Address: 93Starovilensky trakt, Minsk 220053, Belarus
Phone: (0172) 375213,
Fax: (0172) 372588,
E-mail: BELST@MCSM.BELPAK.MINSK.BY
Consultation inaccordance withArticle 14andotherspecial functions oftheAgreement related
toallissues intheareaofstandardization, metrology andconformity assessment (certification) are
conducted bytheStateCommittee forStandardization, Metrology andCertification (GOSSTANDART)
Address: 93Starovilensky trakt, Minsk 220053, Belarus
Phone: (0172) 375213,
Fax: (0172) 372588,
E-mail: BELST@MCSM.BELPAK.MINSK.BYWT/ACC/BLR/7
Page109
Seeitem(c).
TheStateCommittee forStandardization, Metrology andCertification (GOSSTANDART) is
agovernmental authority, which isresponsible atthenational levelfortheprocedures ofnotification
intheareaofstandardization, metrology andconformity assessment (certification) according to
Articles 10.10 and10.11 oftheWTO Agreement.
Theprocedure forpreliminary information onpreparation ofnewtechnical regulations and
ofchanges intechnical regulations isdefined bytheState Standardization System oftheRepublic of
Belarus.