Lower house ratifies Belarus-Russia tax deal

December 20, BPN. Belarusian MPs have ratified a Belarus-Russia tax deal.

The press office of the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Belarusian National Assembly, said the deal was aimed at “deeper economic cooperation and removal of tax barriers in trade and investment, as well as at systemic cooperation and assistance between the two states’ tax agencies combating tax evasion and indirect tax evasion, including in cross-border trade.” The allies would create a supranational tax committee and integrated system to manage indirect taxes.

Belarusian Finance Minister Juryj Sieliviorstaŭ and his Russian counterpart Anton Siluanov signed the deal in Moscow on October 3. Independent experts say it limited Belarus’ financial and economic independence.