Alyaksandr Lukashenka prolonged the offshore status of two Belarusian TV channels, ONT and STV, until December 31, 2015
The offshore status gives companies the right not to pay income and value added taxes received from business activities.
STV channel was also granted local tax exemption, AFN news agency reports.
The TV channels are obliged to spend the money saved on upgrading facilities, purchasing broadcasting rights and launching own programmes.
STV channel received the offshore status in 2003 (Decree No. 92 of March 11, 2003), which was extended until the end of 2009 and later until December 31, 2012 (Decree No. 478 of September 25, 2009). ONT channel received state support in 2007 (Decree No. 6 on January 5, 2007), which was extended until the end of 2012 in September 2009.
