Belarus Considers Digital Economy a Top Priority, Develops Resolution For OSCE Meeting

Belarus considers the digitization of the economy a top priority and is developing a resolution promoting digital economy for a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA), local news  BelTA reports May 15.

Speaking at the Eurasian Digital Forum, the Minister of Telecommunications and Informatization Sergey Popkov said that digital technology is considered as a top priority due to its ability to transform “the economy, public administration and social services.” Popkov further cited the recently adopted Decree on the Development of Digital Economy, that facilitates cryptocurrency-related activity.

“The adopted Decree number 8 has provided unprecedented rights for the residents of Belarus High Technologies Park (HTP) to explore such innovative technologies as blockchain, cryptocurrencies and smart contracts.”

In a separate statement, Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko revealed that Belarus is developing a resolution promoting digital economy for a session of the OSCE PA in Berlin this July. Andreichenko gave a statement about the coming session when he met with the Georgian ambassador to Belarus, Valeri Kvaratskhelia:

“...The Belarusian resolution is aimed at promoting the digital economy. It also deals with the issues of economic growth in the OSCE region, elimination of various obstacles and barriers, harmonization of standards, etc.”

The resolution has already been prepared and will require a requisite number of signatures at the Belarusian House of Representatives. Andreichenko said that the resolution will also be sent to Georgian MPs to gain their support.

Last week, local media reported that the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) is considering strict requirements for investing in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), and is planning to introduce а similar regulatory framework for crypto exchanges. ICO investments will be closed to authorized investors, who must fulfill two of four strict criteria in order to qualify.

On May 1, Cointelegraph reported that the Belarusian crypto-related decree will be updated to require certain crypto exchanges to provide customer data to authorities. A company must provide info on its management structure, client names, and communication records. The data will reportedly be stored for five years, and KYC requirements will be applied to new customers in some cases.