BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11.23.2005

World Bank advises Belarus to liberalise trade

MINSK (AFX) - World Bank experts said the Belarus government should review its trade legislation, which it says is characterised by extensive non-tariff barriers, in order to liberalise trade, BelaPAN news wire reported.

In its new economic memorandum on Belarus, the World Bank said there are a large number of restrictions on trade in Belarus which are limiting the import of consumer goods.

The report also said that while Belarus has made considerable progress in its WTO membership bid, the country has not yet signed a single market access agreement.

The government should reduce its subsidisation of agriculture and industry, including exporters, the report said. 'In addition, much more progress is needed in liberalising and de-monopolising a number of sectors such as financial services and telecommunications', the World Bank said.

Source:

http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/afx/2005/11/23/afx2351599.html