An alternative system to regulate prices may be adopted in Belarus in 2025, BelTA learned from Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade Minister Aleksei Bogdanov.
Aleksei Bogdanov said: “The government is working out an alternative system for regulating prices in the country. The main task is to create a system with minimal interference of the state in pricing processes while simultaneously ensuring stable saturation of the domestic market, the development of the economy, and affordable prices for goods for the population.”
In his words, several variants are being worked out. They will be discussed with the business community, too. “If everything is okay, then the new system may be adopted next year,” the minister noted.
BelTA reported earlier that in 2022 as a result of the government conference held to discuss the price situation in the country the head of state signed Directive No.10 on the unacceptability of price rises. The document was adopted in order to deliver an immediate and tough response to the consumer market situation. Then the government passed resolution No.713 to introduce a new price regulation system. The document has been amended since then. The latest amendment was enacted by resolution No.713(5), which disabled price regulation for premium goods, reduced importer’s markups for buckwheat groats, pasta products made of wheat, juices and nectars made of vegetables, fruits, fruits and vegetables, berries, markups for hosiery, ceramic tiles, and toothpaste. Apart from that, from 21 October 2024 through May 2025 it introduced maximum ex-factory prices and from 29 October 2024 through May 2025 it introduced maximum retail prices for fresh cucumbers, apples, onions, food potatoes, white cabbage, table beets, carrots, except for washed ones.