Belarus to step up control over export of strategic raw materials and commodities

Belarus plans to step up control over export of raw materials and commodities that are strategically important for the economy, reads the draft law to amend the Administrative Offences Code which introduces the responsibility for violating exchange transactions laws. The matter is about the export of skimmed milk powder, butter, cheese, meat, flour, and other commodities from the list approved by the Council of Ministers. Introducing the bill, the officials noted that the lack of administrative liability for violating this requirement gives economic entities an opportunity to export freely strategic goods and raw materials bypassing exchange trading. This creates the lack of market transparency, including in terms of pricing, contributes to corruption risks.