Investment Attractiveness of the Republic of Belarus
The Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, which became operational on January 1, 2010 eliminated the tariff and non-tariff barriers in mutual trade, unified and greatly simplified foreign trade procedures, removing all of the controls at internal borders.
Throughout the territory of the Customs Union free movement of goods is provided.
The Customs Union became a factor in increasing the volume of bilateral trade of the Member States, increasing transit traffic.
Successful operation of vehicle allowed in a short time to create a Single Economic Space, which was the next logical step in the further development of integration processes.
In addition to freedom of movement of goods the SES ensures the freedom of movement of capital, services and labor.
The SES legal basis contains the principle of non-discrimination concerning meeting the needs in the natural resources, including fuel and energy, the possibility of free transportation of oil and gas through pipelines.
At SES equal conditions for economic entities of the three countries are created, ensuring fair competition for goods and services in the common market.
Under the Customs Union, which became part of the SES, to foreign investors are provided with further opportunities for profitable use of capital in Belarus.
1. Freedom of movement as domestic goods and the goods of third countries through:
- absence of customs duties in mutual trade and harmonization of customs procedures;
- unified rules of technical regulation and application of sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary measures (manufacturers do not have to “adjust” to the requirements of each market separately);
- elimination of all forms of state control at internal borders (except for the passport control at the Russian-Kazakh border).
2. Unified customs tariff and non-tariff regulation in trade with third countries to protect the interests of producers who are residents of SES Member States.
3. Process equipment, materials and supplies imported for the implementation of investment projects shall be exempt from customs duty (if raw materials are not produced in the states of the Customs Union).
4. With respect to goods imported from third countries as a contribution to the charter capital of the founder companies tariff preferences are provided.
Foreign investors, who will invest in Belarus will have free access to the common market for goods and services of the three countries with the number of consumers of about 170 million people.
The shortest routes for transportation of goods from foreign countries in the Asia-Pacific region to Western Europe go through Belarus. On the Belarusian-Polish border considerable transportation and storage infrastructure is arranged, allowing for the use of the optimal scheme of delivery of the goods.
