In the Vitebsk region, retail chain companies are showing interest in operating in rural areas.

03/03/20180 views

Network companies are showing significant interest in working under Decree No. 345 "On the Development of Trade, Public Catering, and Consumer Services" in the Vitebsk region. This was announced at a briefing by Irina Levkovich, Head of the Main Department of Trade and Services of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

"As of today, network companies were the first to react to the opportunity to work under the decree in the Vitebsk region. For now, they are the ones showing the most activity and interest in working in rural areas, considering the new possibilities. We are already aware of the intentions of some of them, but it is too early to disclose specific data," stated Irina Levkovich.

So far, there has not been significant activity from individual entrepreneurs and citizens wishing to work under the decree in the region. "District executive committees are conducting extensive information and explanatory work. Since the adoption of the document, over 60 seminars have already been held. This will yield results: we predict that there will definitely be movement," noted the Head of the Department.

According to Irina Levkovich, in accordance with the decision of the Regional Council of Deputies, more than 5.5 thousand settlements, or 88% of their total number, have been included in the list of settlements in the Vitebsk region to which Decree No. 345 "On the Development of Trade, Public Catering and Consumer Services" applies. For individual entrepreneurs and legal entities wishing to engage in retail trade, public catering, and consumer services, the decree provides for tax benefits and preferences. Tax benefits include a reduced profit tax rate. For payers of a single tax of a certain category of individual entrepreneurs, the tax rate is one basic unit per month. A number of preferences concern property matters. In particular, it is possible to alienate state-owned property located within the established settlements on a compensatory basis without an auction. There are also significant relaxations regarding antitrust legislation: network companies, whose share in the specified regions already exceeds 20% of turnover, have been given the opportunity for further development.

"Today, there are indeed some problems with servicing settlements, primarily those with a small resident population. However, the created conditions will give an impetus to business development in rural areas, and we will welcome anyone who comes, because our main task is to provide a normal service there," the head concluded.

News of Belarus (BELTA)