Belarusians advised to think globally and not to dream about cars

The increased tariffs of customs clearence for imported cars have become the most obvopus result of our country's membership in the Customs Union with Russia and Kazakhstan. The new customs duty costs have brought about a huge wave of dissatisfaction among ordinary folks who ask if this union is really necessary for the population. Officials mainatin in respond that these fears are caused by the misunderstanding of all the advantages of the Customs Union.

The European Radio for Belarus has asked officials and experts to find out what an ordinary Belarusian should expect from this union.

Belarus' deputy foreign minister Andrei Tur seems to be sincerely indignant that people look at the Customs Union throught the prism of prices for foreign vehicles.

Andrei Tur: "The Customs Union is surprisingly assessed by the price of a vehicle only. If a simple man loses by not being able to import a car now, this is one thing. But we are talking about promoting investments and creating more efficient ne jobs. We are talking about wages, taxes and the budget after all!"

According to the official, we will get all those benefits thanks to a common economic space from Brest to Vladivostok, where Belarusian goods can move freely. Andrei Tur is advising all citizens of this country to think globally, without limiting our views by the space of our own pocket.

"We should not have to look at the things from the point of view whether I can buy a two-year-old car or not. Actually, it will be better to buy this car here when there is an assembly line here and there will be new cheaper cars and better than the junk they bring from abroad. What the most important thing is the economic space! On the one hand, there is an economic space between London and Lisbon. On the other hand, there is an economic space between Brest and Vladivostok, And the border is ours! So, all the advantages are obvious", Andrei Tur said.

Belarus' foreign ministry spokesman Andrei Popov also calls on citizens to look further than today.

"When we are talking about the advantages that we are expected from the Customs Union, I would like to ask journalists and citizens to try to analyze this situation in the medium-term perspective or even long-term perspective, regarding some positions", he said.

"The compitability of our goods will increase when customs duties are abolished in the market of the Customs Union. This means a guaranteed pay and a higher level of wages due to the production growth. In general, there is a serious prospect of raising the well-being of our people".

Different from the officials, economist Leanid Zaika has found several advantages for a simple man, indeed. These are the advantages that can be tangible within several days. They are associated with the supplies of Russian crude oil to Belarus duty free. Now we are going to get at the Russian domestic costs.

Leanid Zaika: "We can buy oil at the Russian domestic costs. In Russia this oil is processed and sold as fuel at 70 cents per one liter. In Belarus, one liter is sold at $1. If we implement this agreement in compliance with the letter and spirit of the Customs Union, on February 2 we will be able to go to a fuel station and refill at $2 per liter. Let's see if the Belarusian government is going to do it".

There is yet another probable advantage associated with equal gas tariffs.

Leanid Zaika: "Gas prices should also drop to the level of Russian domestic costs. I believe that utilities bills should drop by 15-20 percent. Let's wait for March and see how much we are going to be charged for heating".

The economist says that many goods will become cheaper becaused of competition spurred by the abolition of customs duties! But this advantage of the union can become lethal for some local enterprises.

Leanid Zaika: "People should be prepared for the situation when some production lines will have to closed down in Belarus. There are the advantages of the Customs Union. We have smaller factories, we are a smaller country. And those small uncompetitive enterprises will have to be closed. There is nothing surprising in it".

He has also reminded that currently we do not have customs at the border with Russia and we don't collect duties anyway. However, Russians have not rushed to buy our goods recently.