The increase in the efficiency of the work of free economic zones was discussed at a meeting with the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.The head of state drew attention to the fact that today the issues of creation of new high-productive jobs, strengthening of intellectual, industrial and export potential are more urgent for Belarus than ever. The solution of these problems is inextricably linked with attracting investments in the country's economy. "I am reported to the government that free economic zones make a significant contribution to the social and economic development of the regions and the country as a whole, forming 4% of GDP, concentrating almost 13% of industrial production, about 16% of exports and about 7% of foreign direct investment, this is a significant contribution, but is it commensurate with the benefits that are granted to residents of free economic zones? " - Alexander Lukashenko asked.
In December 2016, issues related to the development of FEZ were already considered at a meeting with the President in connection with changes in the customs legislation in the EAEC. The approaches of the Council of Ministers were approved and a decree was signed.
"Today, the government makes regular proposals that supposedly should stimulate the development of our free economic zones," the head of state said.
Alexander Lukashenko asked if free economic zones are necessary at the current stage in the form in which they exist, how effective were the measures taken in late 2016 and what result they brought to the economy of Belarus.
"Are the proposed solutions sufficient for the development of free economic zones if we agree that they should develop in some preferential, special regime and the growth of foreign direct investment, or will there be another draft decree after some time?" asked the Belarusian leader.The Law on Free Economic Zones was adopted in Belarus in 1998 as another tool for creating new modern productions. Now in the country there are six free economic zones, in which 409 residents are registered with a workforce of more than 122 thousand people.
"All the regions wanted to have their own free economic zones, I agreed, how they function, today we will consider," the President added, "then people did not have a job, and we grabbed any straw to avoid drowning." Today the question of simply We do not need to hire people in free economic zones, giving them preferential treatment to enterprises, we cope with the employment of people, we need high-tech production .If there is advanced production, this should quickly affect the work of the entire economy. m desk, and someone will bolts and nuts rivet - that's good, but does not match the level of development that we are on. "
Read completely: http://www.belta.by/president/view/povyshenie-effektivnosti-raboty-sez-obsuzhdajut-na-soveschanii-u-lukashenko-313202-2018/