Recent legal & business developments in Belarus, April 2009
1) On 16th of Aril 2009 there were alterations and amendments introduced to the Edicts of the President of the Republic of Belarus dealing with insurance regulations. By virtue of Edict No. 205 the Republic of Belarus increased the limit for the medical insurance policy issued to the incoming foreign citizens from 5 000 USD to 5 000 Euro and decreased the rates for “green card” issued to those leaving for the Russian Federation. Respectively the insurance premium in obligatory medical insurance for foreigners that temporary come or temporary live in Belarus were increased as well. The premiums are now to be paid in Euro, the rates remained the same. Apart from that there were also new premiums introduced for obligatory insurance of civil liability of the owners of vehicles leaving for the Russian Federation.
2) By virtue of the Edict of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 21st April 2009 No. 214 “On Temporary Import Customs Tax Rates for Goods” new rates of import customs duties for the goods imported into the territory of the Republic of Belarus were declared. New rates do not cover textile goods originating from the countries of the European Union, Turkish Republic, Sweden and Principality of Liechtenstein.
3) Export duty for raw oil in Belarus has been decreased for 5 USD and is now 110 USD per ton. A corresponding decision is set by virtue of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 382.
4) Tax and customs exemption are now to be granted to those legal entities of the Republic of Belarus that entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Industry on the conditions of manufacturing automobiles. These exemptions are granted by the Edict of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 4th April 2009 No. 175.
5) The procedure of creating, reorganizing and liquidation of unitary enterprises and affiliated unitary enterprises in Belarus has been simplified. This is provided for by virtue of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 469 dated 15th April 2009. The Resolution rectifies the list of state authorities that approve the procedure of establishing a unitary enterprise, their reorganization and liquidation. Approval of the Ministry of Finance of reorganization and liquidation of unitary enterprises has been abolished.
6) “Belarusian Oil Company” CJSC shall from now on accomplish export of oil-products on the basis of general licenses. This was introduced by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 474.
7) The Edict of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 6th April 2009 No. 178 “On Introducing Alterations and Amendments to the Edict of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 12th November 2003 No. 508” provided for optimization of the procedures in operating the bankruptcy issues as well as improved the legal mechanism of the activity of crisis manager. In particular it was set that legal entities are now allowed to perform functions of crisis managers and participate in bankruptcy proceedings. At this legal entities are to be accredited with the state authorities and organizations under the Council of Ministers.
