MINSK, 13 August (BelTA) – Belarusian Deputy Forestry Minister Vladimir Krech explained to journalists what documents are required to purchase timber at preferential prices for housing construction, a BelTA correspondent has reported.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed Decree No. 323 on August 13 amending Decree No. 437 on forestry and timber sales of November 23, 2020. The decree adjusted the amount of timber that can be sold at preferential prices for housing construction. The limit is now 70 m3 per construction object or per object undergoing renovation (previously the limit included all objects together) and up to 10 m3 for routine repairs within a calendar year for a combination of all objects (previously it was 10 m3 for each object – a residential building, a summer house, a garden house).
To obtain up to 70 cubic meters of wood, citizens need a decision from the local authority to allocate a plot of land on which to build a residential building, as well as design specifications and cost estimates and an application for wood. “This is enough to obtain timber,” said Vladimir Krech.
There are also peculiarities. Applicants do not always need construction specifications and estimates. According to Resolution No. 202 of the Ministry of Architecture and Construction, citizens in rural areas can start construction if they have a builder’s pass. “But we and the banks need construction specifications and estimates to calculate how much wood is really needed for the residential building. Then we sell this wood at a preferential price. People already know this. They have two options: they can either use the simplified construction program and buy building materials and accessories at standard prices, or they can have these construction specifications and estimates prepared and then enjoy the benefits provided by the state,” said the Deputy Forestry Minister.
Even routine repairs require a list of documents. “This is also small. An application to a forestry company, the technical specifications for the plot of land registered with the local land registry and registration authority. And then we can provide up to 10 cubic meters of wood every year for the repair of a residential building, outbuildings and fences, if it is specified in the technical specifications,” he explained.
