FM: Belarus will not extend licensing of goods imported from outside Customs Union

MINSK. KAZINFORM - Belarus will not extend the licensing of imports of goods from outside the Customs Union, the director of the foreign trade department at Belarus' Foreign Ministry, Igor Nazaruk, told reporters on 29 July, BelTA has learned.
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Igor Nazaruk recalled that the licensing of some imported products in Belarus is a temporary measure. In September-October this measure will expire and will not be extended. He noted that the temporary import licensing of certain products has had no impact on the volume of deliveries to Belarus. The import of some items has increased to the level of the previous year. "If we compare, in terms of costs, the import of confectionery made of sugar, including white chocolate, then we will see that it increased by 60% in January-May 2014 over the same period 2013. We see the same pattern for pasta products, up 15%," said Igor Nazaruk.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Belarus has issued around 100 licenses for beer alone, and about 200 for other licensed products from China, Poland, Germany, and Moldova.

Speaking about the trade disputes with Ukraine, Igor Nazaruk said that the consultations are in progress with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. "In the very near future, we expect certain signals from the Ukrainian side. It is important not to stop the dialogue with our major trading partners, including Ukraine," he said, recalling that for the countries-parties of the CIS free trade zone, the government cancelled the temporary licensing of cement, glass, beer, and certain types of pasta and confectionery products from outside the common customs territory of the Customs Union, BelTA reports.

Belarus does not view the measures undertaken by the Ukrainian side as balanced and equal. Import licensing in Belarus applies to the Ukrainian deliveries worth about $100 million (in 2013). Ukraine has imposed a special import duty for a wider range of goods, affecting the Belarusian supplies worth about $265 million, said Igor Nazaruk.

As was reported, on 1 June Belarus imposed the licensing of the import of confectionery products and raw materials from outside the Customs Union. This is a temporary measure that will be in force until 30 November 2014. Imported beer will also be subject to licensing from 1 May till 31 October this year. "These decisions were taken to redress the market imbalances. Some products were imported into the country with the use of the gray schemes. This has violated the parity prices, contributed to the confusion in pricing," said Igor Nazaruk. He stressed that the use of temporary licensing is permitted by international law, if it is necessary, for example, to adjust the balance, ensure public health, etc.

The interagency commission for international trade of Ukraine adopted a decision to impose a special duty on the import of certain goods from Belarus. It, in particular, is applied to Belarusian confectionery, dairy products, incandescent electric lamps, fertilizers and refrigerators. The special duty to the amount of 55.29% of the customs value will be in force through 31 December 2016 (inclusive). In addition, Ukraine has applied a special duty on the import of Belarusian tires, malt beer, and spare parts for refrigerating equipment. Its size is 60.05% of the customs value of the goods. The period of application of this special duty is similar to the one mentioned above.

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