Victor Gorbachev: “Entrepreneurs are ready to defend their business”



Belarusian parliamentarians are now discussing the draft law about development of small and medium entrepreneurship. The leader of the movement “For free development of entrepreneurship” steering committee Victor Gorbachev says in the interview for www.Euramost.org that “the ruling power doesn’t discuss problems of entrepreneurship with representatives of publicity”.

- Now it’s kind of a boom for the authorities to change decrees, edicts and acts which touch upon questions connected with entrepreneurs, - says Victor Gorbachev. – There comes recession of rent prices, disconnection of single tax and euro… Everything we demanded four years ago. We bagged subscriptions on these questions, claimed for decisions. But only now the authorities began to act. But this activeness boom puts us on guard. There are several variants there: either economy crisis had damaged the authorities so badly, that they’ve decided to show that they keep apace with us and count on our help, or it means that there will be devaluation of Belarusian ruble after the New Year. And maybe they’ve “disconnected’ ruble from euro for fear of businessmen rebellion when the devaluation happens there. Everything can happen in our country. Moreover International Monetary Fund can demand it. By the way according to some information lately there was a session of parliament during which discussed the draft law about support of small and medium business in the first reading. We suggested discussing this project in 2007, when we protested and went to the streets. You can see this project on our web site for a long time.



- Do you notice any openness of the officials now?

- To tell you the truth, I don’t see any of it. If a law is enacted, public organizations and leaders of entrepreneurs’ movement must be informed. But there is nothing like this. There is closeness of the authorities and unofficial decision making again. And later I think there will be additions because without a wide discussion it will be imperfect. Or the low will be supplemented with decrees and acts.



- We expect increase of value added tax from 18 to 20 per cent…

- It’s not done because of good life. By the way, it will be harmful not for entrepreneurs but also for state structures. In case of lifting value added tax the coast loading of entrepreneurs will be raised and this will result higher prices of goods and services. First, buyers will suffer because they will have to pay more. Though the entrepreneurs will make their best to beat down prices. The expiring year shows that people can’t bear constant growth of prices. So this growth of VAT on 2 percent more from one point of view is not significant but from the point of crisis is very notable. And again – this question was worked out without public discussion. It seems like everything is done not for people. But people tolerate and don’t repine… But soon they will reach their despair. One my friend had three car details shops in Baranovichy and Pruzhany. He was selling car details here, but last week he took all the details to Russia and in several days opened a car shop there. I think he is not the only one who moves his business abroad. Everybody else is not stupid either and they see what legislation is passed here. Now we even don’t know what law about entrepreneurs is being enacted there. Everything is behind closed doors as though being classified “top secret”.



- In what mood are the entrepreneurs now?

- So far we only hear that something will change from New Year. But we also should be ready for “presents”. I will say honestly – just in case entrepreneurs are getting ready for actions of protest. Leaders in regions and districts will analyze this situation and will be ready to protect their business starting from negotiations and finishing with actions in the square. Moreover January has always been non-trade month. And it will be worth with economic crisis. Today the entrepreneurs have demands as follows: reduction of taxes and rent prices on 30 percent less, because people already start to chip in together to keep business somehow. To say it short, we’ll see what we’ll get next year…



Victor PAVLOV.