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MINSK, 20 August (BelTA) – On 20 August Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed decree No.277 “On the development of trade, public catering, and consumer services in rural areas and small urban settlements,” the press service of the head of state told BelTA.

The document aims to improve retail services, enhance their quality, and create additional conditions for the development of trade, public catering, and consumer services in rural areas.

To this end, a system or a set of standards is being established at the municipal level for the sectors of trade, public catering, and consumer services. On the one hand, it takes into account wishes of rural residents while, on the other hand, it bears in mind the economic interests of retail businesses.

The decree stipulates that retail, consumer services, and public catering in rural areas shall be conducted with due regard for local peculiarities. In particular, peculiarities concerning taxation, the organization of mobile shops (including mandatory route planning, frequency of service, and specified arrival times and locations), and the transfer of real estate for a price.

The decree establishes personal accountability for the heads of oblast and district administrations as well as the heads of retail entities for offering adequate retail services to rural residents.

The decree was drafted in accordance with the requirements and instructions given by the head of state at an offsite conference held in the town of Vileika on 7 August 2026 to discuss ways of ensuring that the rural population has access to a wide range of goods to fully meet their needs.

The legal acts that had previously regulated these areas are hereby repealed.