Procedure for provision and use of sponsorship updated in Belarus
The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, signed Decree No. 112 on March 27th, which updates the procedure for the provision and use of gratuitous (sponsorship) assistance that was operational in accordance with Decree No. 300 as of July 1st, 2005, the Belarusian leader’s press service reports
The document introduces additional restrictions on the provision of such assistance. It cannot be provided by organisations with a state ownership share of 50 percent or more if they have overdue payments to the budget, payment of wages and allowances, net loss, as well as if the conditions for state support are not met.
It is also prohibited to render gratuitous (sponsorship) assistance in foreign currency, except in cases when it is allocated to healthcare organisations to purchase medical devices and medicines abroad, to citizens to receive medical care outside the country, as well as to individuals (teams) representing Belarus at international events.
At the same time, the decree envisages the opportunity to provide this assistance in the form of electronic money and tokens, use it to reimburse expenses related to the maintenance of industrial buildings, structures and landscaping of settlements. Certain religious, charitable, sports organisations and public associations can get such assistance to pay salaries and cover other economic expenses.
In addition, the list of those who have the right to receive gratuitous assistance has been expanded to include now diplomatic missions, business associations (unions) and associations (for implementation of statutory tasks).
The goals of providing (using) this assistance have been extended. Among them are the support for organisations engaged in patriotic education of children, the youth and individuals in difficult situations, non-profit organisations (in the field of environmental protection), as well as the volunteer fire movement.
