The Belarusian government has clarified which activities can be carried out by individual entrepreneurs following the adoption of Council of Ministers Resolution No. 457 on 28 June 2024. The measure limits the scope of work available to sole traders and sets a simplified re-registration window that runs until 31 December 2025.
Belarus individual entrepreneurs face re-registration deadline
Under the resolution, individual entrepreneurs will be permitted to carry out a defined list of activities. Examples explicitly mentioned include printing and publishing services, production of bakery goods and short-shelf-life flour confectionery, manufacture of outerwear, headwear and undergarments, and a variety of construction trades such as plastering, joinery, carpentry and painting. The list also covers short-term housing rentals for weekends or brief stays, catering services, advertising and photography activities, and computer repair.
The regulation signals a move to formalise and clarify the parameters for small-scale business activity. For those whose current operations do not appear on the permitted list, the resolution requires them to either re-register as a commercial organisation or to stop their activity as an individual entrepreneur. The authorities have allowed a transitional period: simplified re-registration procedures will be available until 31 December 2025.
Business groups and individual traders are likely to assess their legal and tax positions in light of the change. Re-registering as a commercial entity can involve different tax regimes, reporting obligations and administrative requirements, which could be more burdensome for very small operators. At the same time, clearer rules may reduce ambiguity for enforcement agencies and help standardise compliance.
For many sole traders, the immediate practical questions will be which category best fits their current work and what steps are needed to transition within the simplified timeframe. The resolution’s examples suggest the government aims to preserve commonly recognised trades and consumer-facing services while encouraging other activities to operate under corporate structures that may offer more oversight.
Authorities have not published an exhaustive list of every permitted activity in the excerpt reported, so entrepreneurs should consult the full text of Resolution No. 457 or seek professional legal advice to determine how the rules apply to their specific business. Local chambers of commerce and industry associations often provide guidance and administrative assistance during such transitions.
From an economic perspective, the move could have mixed effects. It may prompt structural changes among micro-enterprises, with some owners choosing to form small companies to retain market access. Others may exit the market if the costs of formalisation exceed anticipated returns. Policymakers will need to monitor these outcomes to ensure the measures do not unduly hinder livelihoods while achieving regulatory clarity.
In the meantime, affected individual entrepreneurs are advised to review the list of permitted activities, plan for possible re-registration, and take advantage of the simplified procedure available through the end of 2025.
Key Takeaways:
- Belarus individual entrepreneurs must limit activities to a specified list under Council of Ministers Resolution No. 457.
- Permitted activities include printing, bakery production, clothing manufacture, certain construction works, short-term housing rental, catering, advertising, photography and computer repair.
- Entrepreneurs whose activities are not listed must re-register as commercial organisations or cease operations; simplified re-registration is available until 31 December 2025.
