Belarus abolished licensing of import of Ukrainian beer. The Council of Ministers of Belarus issued relevant Resolution No. 451 on 17 May 2012, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian government.

Government Resolution No.1860 as of 21 December 2010 “Concerning the licensing of import of malt beer from Ukraine and amendments to Resolution No. 1369 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus as of 18 October 2007” are recognized as void.

As reported, the import of beer from Ukraine to Belarus was temporarily restricted at the end of 2010. At that time the share of Ukrainian beer reached 32% on the Belarusian market. The imported products had a more attractive price than similar locally-produced beverages. Therefore, the Council of Ministers of Belarus adopted Resolution No. 1860 on 21 December 2010, under which Ukrainian malt beer was to be imported to Belarus under one-time licenses issued by the Trade Ministry in consultation with Belgospishcheprom Concern until 31 December 2012.

The resolution was intended to create equal conditions for the Belarusian and foreign beer manufacturers and to prevent import of beer at the prices below the domestic ones.

The negotiations led to the compromise. Pricing agreements were signed with several Ukrainian companies. The parties had a dialogue on mutually beneficial export of Ukrainian beer to Belarus and that of Belarusian beer to Ukraine.

At the end of 2011 one of the major beer and soft drinks manufacturers in Ukraine applied to the Belarusian authorities with a request to protect the Ukrainian exporters’ interests on the Belarusian market. Ukraine requested to mitigate the conditions for its beer exports to Belarus.

Belta