OREANDA-NEWS. December 07, 2009. The Belarusian president has expanded the authorities of the interdepartmental commission that identifies importers of alcohol by his decree #12.

The head of state allowed the commission to award contracts for alcohol import to single bidders.

Also, winners of tenders are supposed to pay all tender organization expenses, including earlier ineffective tenders.

President Alexander Lukashenko signed decree #3 in 2008 to abolish import quotas on alcohol, non-food alcohol-containing substances, and non-food ethyl alcohol.

To protect the economic interests of the country and preserve control over import flows, all imports of alcohol and alcohol-containing products will be authorized by a special commission that will select importers by tender.