Currently IFC is implementing the following projects in Belarus.
CURRENT PROJECT
Belarus Business Enabling Environment Project
Belarus Energy Efficiency Survey Project
COMPLETED PROJECTS
CURRENT PROJECT
Belarus Energy Efficiency Survey Project
2008 – present
Supported with funds from IFC
The main goal of the project is to assess the current market for energy efficiency (EE) financing in Belarus and to raise awareness among local financial institutions (FIs), small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and policy makers about existing opportunities for energy efficiency financing in the country. Similar surveys have been conducted in Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia.
By identifying best practices in SME EE and finance, the survey will also provide benchmarks with other countries and might lead to a more comprehensive program to increase EE in Belarus and the region.
More...
Belarus Business Enabling Environment Project
www.ifc.org/europe/belarus
2004 - present
Supported with funds from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
The project works to reduce the regulatory burden on SMEs by helping government agencies streamline business registration, permit and inspections systems. It also helps improve SMEs’ access to information and business support services, and provides independent information on the business environment through regular surveys of the SME sector.
More...
The Challenge
Complex administrative hurdles punctuate the business climate in Belarus, hindering development of small business. According to IFC SME Survey more than 72% of SMEs find administrative procedures as key obstacle to business development. Registration of a business despite the fact of introduction of One-Stop-Shop principle and decrease in a number of notary tariffs in 2006 remains more complex then needed – costs $311 and lasts 30 days. The average annual number of permits required for SMEs is 6. Moreover, legislation regulating the private sector is constantly changing, with over 600 business related acts adopted annually. For SMEs, information on changes to rules and requirements is hard to come by, difficult to interpret, and nearly impossible to keep up with.
The IFC Approach
The project conducts regular surveys of the SME sector to provide objective information about the business environment in Belarus. These surveys provide the basis for the project to develop policy recommendations, and to work with government agencies on practical solutions to the administrative barriers currently hindering business development. The project also administers an Internet-based business information platform (BEL.BIZ), which provides entrepreneurs with legal information and regulatory updates, to help them to comply with changing regulations and requirements. For further public awareness, the project conducts an extensive information and education campaign.
Achievements to Date as of July 1, 2008
- Provided recommendations for 2 Presidential Decrees, which were adopted in 2006 and 2007, introduced declarative principle of registration, and helped reduce registration time from 41 days to 15
- Economic impact of registration reform is expected to save Belarusian businesses $21.5 million
- Streamlined permits system in Mogilev region, reducing state agencies involved by 10% and decreasing time to acquire all permits for food production and service enterprises by up to 3 months
- Decreased the number of inspectorates that have the right to conduct unplanned tax inspections from 107 district inspectorates to 7 regional inspectorates
- IFC’s web portal for independent business information (www.Bel.Biz) receives 2,000 unique visitors daily, is a two-time winner of Belarus’ “Brand of the Year” contest and the key platform for public-private dialogue in Belarus. The site has an English-language version: www.belarus.bel.biz
