Belarus invites SES partners to pursue common industrial policy

On 15 June at the meeting of the heads of government of the Customs Union member states, Belarus submitted a proposal to develop, under the auspices of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) a document for a common industrial policy in the SES, said Vladimir Semashko. A proposal was also made to accelerate the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Industry at the EEC. Its activities should be aimed at formulating proposals for a coherent industrial policy, involving representatives of the ministries and departments concerned, academia and the business community.

A separate section in the manufacturing industry development program of Belarus for the period up to 2020 is dedicated to the formation of common approaches in industrial policy in the Single Economic Space, the creation of equal economic conditions. "Now we are talking about the need for a common industrial policy in the SES. By this we mean coordinated action by the parties in areas such as joint major infrastructure projects, policy regarding markets of minerals, materials, equipment, land and natural resources, a uniform tax policy in respect of producers, minimum regulation of internal product markets, promotion of competition, regulation of ownership and corporate structures, joint action on foreign markets," Vladimir Semashko said. In addition, in the course of economic development the countries face individual problems which are extremely sensitive. Their solution today and in the future will be difficult without a coherent industrial policy.

A number of common rules on industrial policy are outlined in the agreements signed by the Customs Union member states including the ones on common rules of granting industrial subsidies, on common competition rules, organization, management and development of the common markets of petroleum and petroleum products, free economic zones on the territory of the Customs Union and others. "Within the framework of the coherent industrial policy the SES countries will outline priority sectors that provide innovative breakthrough results. Here it is not so much the experience exchange that is important as concerted action to support the industries," Vladimir Semashko said.