METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO OBLIGATIONS SUBSTANTIATIONS FOR ACCESS OF IMPORTED AGROFOOD PRODUCTS TO THE DOMESTIC MARKET OF BELARUS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF JOINING WTO

Abstract

The problem of joining of the Republic of Belarus to WTO and the impact of this process on the economy of the country as a whole, including the agrofood sphere is considered in the article. The WTO requirements on access of imported products to the domestic market were investigated for this purpose, the experience of WTO member states of the Eurasian Economic Union was studied, and peculiarities of Belarus joining to the WTO in conditions of EEU were determined. Research and methodical approaches were proposed and the evaluation of the level of sensitivity of agricultural products of the Republic of Belarus to import was carried out on the basis of identifying the level of self-sufficiency, import growth and the level of protection of the domestic market of Belarus. The effect of liberalization of import duties on the competitiveness of certain types of products was determined, as well as dependence of export profit from changes in the level of the Common Customs Tariff of EEU. It was established that the consequences would depend on a number of factors: firstly, how appropriate will be the obligations of the Republic of Belarus and how possible will that be to defend the most sensitive positions for agricultural sector, and secondly, how competitive will the domestic products be in the domestic and foreign markets.