Belarusian authorities aim to tighten control over IT and boost its role in economy

The president has demonstrated a loyal attitude to the IT sector, and simultaneously stepped up control over the industry. By appointing a compromise candidate, Vsevolod Yanchevsky, to lead the High Tech Park, the Belarusian authorities aspire to relax tension between the IT sector and the state, which occurred following Tsepkalo’s dismissal. Apparently, the Belarusian leadership envisages applying private business practices in traditional industries to the IT sector, i.e. allowing large businesses to develop in exchange for the loyalty to the current authorities and their financial needs.

The president has appointed his aide, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the HTP and long time supervisor of the IT industry, Vsevolod Yanchevsky, as he Head of the HTP Administration.

Amid distress in traditional industries, the state has stepped up its interest in the IT development in an attempt to boost economic growth. The president counts on prompt economic effects thanks to large investment in the economy. For instance, last week he visited Belarusian IT companies together with Russian billionaire and IT investor Mikhail Gutseriev. Meanwhile, apparently not all senior officials from the president’s inner circle share his views, so they speak about the long-term IT development in order to prevent criticism in his regard in the future.

IT sector leaders have reacted positively to the appointment of former chief ideologist from the presidential administration Yanchevsky to lead the HTP. Yanchevsky is probably the only official in the top echelon of the state administration, who is closely familiar with the IT and communication technologies, and suits both, the authorities and IT entrepreneurs.

It is worth noting that, along with his appointment as the HTP Head, Yanchevsky is attempting to strengthen his lobbying potential by creating an additional bureaucratic structure – the Public Council for IT Development, which would include officials and business representatives.

The Belarusian leadership seems ready for gradual structural transformations in the economy in Belarus and takes measures to ensure it retains control over new promising sectors.