Belarus won’t introduce broad import restrictions

It became known from the statement made by the Belarus Industrial Ministry. According to the press-service on the ministry, “the government had concluded after discussions that the planned measure was inexpedient and there were no plans to consider its introduction in the future”, BelaPAN quotes the statement. 

Let us recall that earlier this month, the government drew up a presidential edict that would give 12 state-owned manufacturers the monopolistic right to import consumer and industrial goods between July 1, 2014 and January 1, 2015. 

The companies included Minsk Bearing Plant, Homel-based agricultural equipment maker Homselmash, Minsk-based machine tool manufacturer MZOR, tire maker Belshyna, Minsk Engine Plant, elevator maker Mahilyowliftmash, electronics company Intehral, refrigerator maker Atlant, television manufacturer Horizont, Minsk Tractor Works, Minsk Automobile Plant, and Kozlov Minsk Electrical Equipment Plant. 

The goods in question were, among others, televisions, home appliances, bearings, engines, agricultural equipment, trucks, machine tools, elevators, and tires. 

Government experts said that that the import restrictions were needed for defending the country's economic interests. 

The authors of the draft edict explained that many materials and components used in the manufacture of equipment were imported at too high prices.