Entrepreneurs made to become Santa Clauses

• Ala Ksionzhyk, “Salidarnsts”
• 26.11.2008, 11:08

Minsk authorities have invented a way to secure themselves against the conditions of global financial crisis at a local level.

They decided to take money for a rainy day out of businessmen’s pockets. The Minsk State Executive committee prepares a letter where officials will offer businessmen who rent premises in Stalitsa shopping centre to transfer a sum equal to a month rent to a reserve account.

The shopping centre “Stalitsa” is owned by Minsk city executive committee. Recently businessmen who rent premises there were invited to the officials of the chief directorate of consumer market who told that an official letter is being prepared. It will contain a demand to transfer a month rent sum to the account of the executive committee.

- We were told that the money are to be kept there as a safeguard. For instance, if I would decide to stop working in the “Stalitsa” shopping centre, then I wouldn’t have to pay the rent in the last month. It is understandable that nobody believes that,” “Salidarnasts” was told by one of the entrepreneurs who didn’t want to disclose his name.

The rent of a square metre in the shopping centre is 37 Euro for an individual entrepreneur. It means that a pavilion of 200 square metres cost about 7,400 Euro.

“Stalitsa” is 75,655 square metres of floor area where at least a half is trade areas. It means that officials would be able to collect hundreds thousands Euro.

It should be noted that the letter with a “request” is to be received by entrepreneurs right in the beginning of the New year when they are to re-execute rental contracts.

- We understand that in case the money won’t be transferred, the rental contract could be not extended. It is not clear who Minsk executive committee officials are going to explain their request legally… Anyway, it is certainly a blow for every businessman today to take several thousands Euro and send them for unknown needs, -- the interlocutor said.