Belarus & Russia: Belarusian cabinet is to abolish restrictions on Russian beer imports

The Belarusian Council of Ministers is expected to abolish restrictions on the import of beer from Russia, Vladimir Kuznetsov, spokesman for the Russian Union of Brewers, told BelaPAN on September 26.

The matter was under discussion at a meeting of the Committee on Tariff and Non-Tariff Regulation under the Council of Ministers of the Belarusian-Russian Union State held at the Russian economic development and trade ministry on Monday, September 25.

The discussion was initiated by the Russian delegation, according to Mr. Kuznetsov.

Under a directive issued by the Belarusian cabinet in 2003, Russian beer importers should deliver shipments to Belarus through specially established warehouses. "The rules apply to the import of beer from Russia only," Mr. Kuznetsov said. "They cause logistic problems for Russian breweries, as well as lead to substantial financial loss and increases in the retail price of their beer."

The Committee reportedly agreed that the rules should be abolished. The Belarusian cabinet is soon to draft a directive to this effect. Mr. Kuznetsov said that the move would be well in line with efforts to establish the Union State, which he noted envisages equal conditions for Belarusian and Russian businesses.

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