Free Economic Zones
A free economic zone (FEZ) is a part of the territory of the Republic of Belarus with determined boundaries and a special legal regime, establishing a special procedure and terms of taxation, currency, customs and other regulations.
The development of free economic zones is oriented to the fulfillment of following tasks:
- increase of the foreign investments inflow;
- providing favorable conditions for attraction of new and high technologies and best foreign practices;
- employment generation;
- improvement of investment environment and attraction of strategic investors.
In the Republic of Belarus, as in the rest of the world, the regulations of a FEZ give companies a chance to operate on favourable terms.
The territory of free economic zones is a part of the customs territory of the Republic of Belarus.
Presently there are six free economic zones in the Republic of Belarus:
FEZ "Brest" (1996) is the first FEZ in the Republic of Belarus. Currently, 73 resident enterprises from 20 countries are registered in the zone, which produce about 2000 types of industrial products and goods, including electrical products, road marking machines and equipment, paints and enamels, gas and electric stoves, furniture, seafood, meat and confectionery. Currently, the FEZ is taking investments in the creation of enterprises using high technologies in the pharmaceutical, automotive, electronic, engineering and other industries. In 2019, FEZ business entities exported goods worth $ 718 million, and the export geography includes 75 countries of the world.
FEZ "Minsk" (1998). The creation of the FEZ was an effective tool of the state industrial policy to ensure the formation of a favorable investment and business climate in the region. During its activities, the FEZ Minsk has become a leading industrial center and has attracted investments worth more than $ 2 billion. Companies from 20 countries invested in business in the territory of FEZ: the main investor countries are Russia, Cyprus, Great Britain, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, and the USA. Currently, 120 resident enterprises are registered in the FEZ. 80 countries of the world import products manufactured by these enterprises worth more than $ 11 billion.
The Law of the Republic of Belarus of December 7, 1998 "On Free Economic Zones" defines legal and organizational framework of creation, functioning and liquidation of a FEZ in the Republic of Belarus.