Belarus to set up s single state body for digital regulation – Lukashenko

<p> MINSK, Mar 16 - PrimePress. A comprehensive ordinance is in the works, which will allow concentrating available resources in several key areas, setting up a single government regulation body, and making the most of China's experience in building a digital society. Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko made a statement to this effect on March 16 during a meeting to discuss bills aimed at combating illicit financial transactions in the IT sector. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “I believe that these issues should have been addressed a long time ago. Two years ago, we agreed that the government would develop fundamental guidelines, and other government agencies would help it with this. It is necessary to make sure that all proposals are thoroughly studied and verified. We should consider them at a separate meeting in the summer,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, the government, the State Control Committee and the National Bank suggest specifying and clarifying some provisions of the legislation and establishing the necessary level of control over the new field of financial transactions, he said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Lukashenko said: “The use of digital marks (tokens) and cryptocurrencies has become common in many countries of the world. They are accepted as an additional means of payment along with traditional money. In 2017, we were the first in the world to create a legal framework for promoting these technologies in Belarus. As far as I know, no glaring abuse in this area has been allowed. At the same time, the world has already come up with certain rules aimed at preventing money laundering and financing of terrorism and eliminating prerequisites for various kinds of criminal activity.” </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, Lukashenko supported the idea of creating a ministry of digital economy and instructed the government to submit a proposal on the issue back in March 2018. Lukashenko’s Decree #8 of 21 December 2017 on the Development of the Digital Economy entered into force on 28 March 2018. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The Hi-Tech Park was established in Sep 2005 following President Lukashenko’s decree aimed at creating favourable conditions for software development and the rise of digital telecom technologies. </p> <p>   </p> <p> On 21 December 2017, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree on the development of the digital economy. The document created special conditions for the national IT sector, and also provided significant competitive advantages to the country in the application of the advanced blockchain technologies, artificial intelligence, and unmanned transport. The HTP legal jurisdiction covers the whole territory of Belarus. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The main consumers of IT products and services of HTP residents are the US and EU countries, which account for about 90% of all exports by HTP resident companies. The top five partner countries are the USA, Cyprus, the UK, Ireland and Russia. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In 2020 the number of employees of HTP resident companies increased by 16.7% up to 70 thousand. In 2020, 236 new residents joined the HTP, and their number amounted to 1,021 companies. End </p>

2021-03-17

Primepress