November 2, 2004

Decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus NO. 1320 of October 21, 2004 brings in alterations and amendments to the Comprehensive Programme of Development of Services for 2004-2005. The Decision sets forth the Programme in a new edition and is mandatory for all state and local administrative bodies.

Decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 1341 of October 26, 2004 brings in changes to the Regulations on Procedure and Conditions for Concluding Contracts with Scientific Employees, Regulations on Procedure and Conditions for Concluding Employment Contracts with Employees and Regulations on Procedure and Conditions for Concluding Contracts with State Officers. The changes concern the prolongation of expired contracts with women and high-skilled professionals as well as the terms for such prolongation.

Decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 1343 of October 10, 2004 changes the rates of import customs duties for the goods imported from the territory of the Republic of Belarus abroad the member states of the Eurasian Economic Community approved by the Decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 864 of June 28, 2002. New rates are established for some chemicals, gasoline, oil, etc according to the table.

Decision of the Committee of Standardization, Metrology and Certification at the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 49 of October 20, 2004 brings in amendments to the List of Products, services, Staff and Other Objects of Conformance Assessment Subject to the Obligatory Assessment in the Republic of Belarus approved by the Decision of the Committee of Standardization, Metrology and Certification of July 30, 2004 No. 35. According to the Decision No. 49 candy, caramel, marmalade and some other products are subject to obligatory certification since May 1, 2005.