Decree on the High-Tech Park

The High-Tech Park (HTP) is one of the most well-known legal regimes in Belarus, which for many years has attracted strong interest from both local entrepreneurs and foreign investors. Companies view the High-Tech Park as an opportunity to operate within a predictable regulatory environment, gain access to specialized human resources, and build an IT business under optimal conditions for development.

The foundation of the High-Tech Park’s activities is the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated September 22, 2005, No. 12 “On the High-Tech Park,” which defines the principles of operation of the High-Tech Park regime, the admission procedure, company requirements, and specific aspects of resident activities. This Decree established the legal instruments that made the Belarusian IT sector recognizable at the international level and created conditions for the emergence of hundreds of high-technology products. The main provisions of the Decree have been in effect since January 4, 2006.

Despite the wide recognition of the HTP, many entrepreneurs face the issue of not fully understanding how the regime operates, which companies may become residents, what exactly the Decree regulates, and how interaction with government authorities is structured. For those who are only considering admission, it is important to obtain a clear understanding of how the HTP differs from the general legal regime, what benefits it offers to businesses, and what obligations it imposes.

In this article, we examine the key provisions of the Decree on the HTP and explain how it is applied in practice. The material helps clarify the structure of the special legal regime of the HTP, its opportunities and nuances, and allows companies to assess whether the HTP is suitable for the development of their project or business in Belarus.

What the Decree on the HTP Represents

The High Technology Park Decree is a fundamental regulatory document that defines the entire legal architecture of the HTP regime. It establishes the basic principles of the park’s operation, regulates the activities of residents and determines the mechanisms of reception, management and control. For IT companies, this is a key source of rules on which business activities are built within the regime and legal stability is ensured.

The Role of the Decree in Shaping the Legal Regime of the HTP

The Decree became the foundation for creating a special regime that significantly differs from the general business framework in Belarus. Its role is to:

• establish the legal model for the functioning of the HTP;
• define which companies may apply for resident status;
• describe the principles governing the HTP’s management bodies;
• set requirements for company activities, including the project component;
• ensure predictability and transparency of rules for the IT business.

In essence, the Decree is the “constitution” of the HTP: all internal processes, decisions of the Supervisory Board, and daily operations of residents are based on its provisions.

Why the Decree Defines the Rules for Residents

The key distinction of the Decree is that it regulates not isolated aspects, but the entire set of relationships between the state and companies operating in the high-technology sector. For this reason, it:

• establishes the legal status of a HTP resident;
• defines the procedure for admission to and termination from the special legal regime;
• determines the obligations of residents and the scope of permitted activities;
• sets the structure of management bodies and the distribution of authority;
• establishes mechanisms for compliance control.

Accordingly, for any company operating in a HTP, the Decree serves as the main reference document for strategic decision-making, development planning and interaction with government agencies.

The Importance of the Decree for the Development of the Belarusian IT Industry

The Decree has become a key instrument in shaping the modern IT ecosystem in Belarus. As a result:

• a transparent and understandable legal regime for the IT business was created;
• Belarus became a visible point on the international technology map;
• conditions were formed for the development of complex IT projects and high-technology services;
• investors gained confidence in the stability of the regulatory environment;
• a professional labor market oriented toward international standards was formed.

Companies obtained the opportunity to grow in a predictable regulatory environment, which is especially important in an industry where the pace of technological change requires flexibility and rapid decision-making.

Which Companies May Become Residents of the HTP

Obtaining HTP resident status is not a formality, but the result of a thorough assessment of the project and the company’s compliance with established requirements. The HTP regime is focused on the development of high-technology areas, therefore only organizations whose projects genuinely relate to the IT sector and demonstrate technological value potential may be admitted. When considering applications, the Supervisory Board analyzes both the legal accuracy of the documents and the actual economic and technological content of the project.

Key Admission Criteria

To obtain resident status, a company must meet a number of core criteria, including:

• state registration of the company in the Republic of Belarus;
• orientation of activities toward information technologies or other areas classified as new and high technologies;
• the presence of a well-developed business project describing the product, technology, development processes, and growth strategy;
• legal transparency of the company, including ownership structure and sources of financing;
• readiness to conduct activities genuinely within the HTP regime rather than using it formally.

Additional factors are also considered, such as team composition, competencies, existing developments, growth trajectory, and scaling plans.

Types of Activities Considered High-Technology

Companies whose activities correspond to the HTP profile may become residents. The primary focus includes:

• software development;
• creation and implementation of innovative IT products;
• provision of software technical support services;
• data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence;
• development of solutions for fintech, medtech, logistics, and business process automation;
• development and maintenance of complex platforms and digital services;
• infrastructure IT services that create added technological value.

The HTP considers not only classical outsourcing development, but also product companies, startups, service teams, and projects with innovative components in adjacent fields.

Requirements for the Company Business Project

The business project is the key document evaluated prior to admission. It must:

• contain a detailed description of the product or service;
• reflect the technological architecture, solution uniqueness, and value;
• describe project stages and development plans;
• include information about the team and competencies;
• contain financial calculations and projected indicators;
• demonstrate real feasibility of project implementation.

The Supervisory Board evaluates not only formal compliance, but also project viability and its alignment with the objectives of the HTP.

Specifics of Assessing Projects with Foreign Founders

Companies with foreign capital are assessed according to the same criteria, but the process involves additional procedures:

• legalization and translation of corporate documents;
• confirmation of ownership structure and sources of funding;
• identification of foreign directors and participants;
• verification of compliance with the regime requirements and Belarusian legislation.

Key factors for the Supervisory Board include transparency of the corporate structure, compliance with international AML and KYC standards, as well as the absence of risks for capital creation.

Important: participation of foreign founders in Belarusian companies is not an obstacle to HTP admission. On the contrary, the HTP has traditionally been open to international business. However, such projects are subject to increased documentation and verification requirements.

Conditions for Company Operations within the HTP Regime

After obtaining the status of a resident, the company operates within the framework of a special legal regime based on the provisions of the Decree on a HTP. This regime provides not only benefits, but also specific obligations that are mandatory for all residents. The regulatory system is aimed at maintaining a high level of technological activity and ensuring business transparency in the park.

Legal Framework and Resident Obligations

A HTP resident must comply with several key principles:

• activities must correspond to the project submitted during admission;
• the company must operate in high-technology areas related to IT or adjacent innovative fields;
• all information provided must be accurate, and the resident bears responsibility for data correctness;
• the resident must promptly notify about any material changes in the project, company structure, participants, or management;
• the company must comply with applicable legislation, including labor, tax, and corporate regulations.

These obligations form the regulatory foundation of trust between the HTP and the company.

Business Operation Features under the Regime

Operating within the HTP differs from operating outside it. Key features include:

• project-based operations, requiring implementation of the approved business project;
• financial transparency, including clear funding sources and income and expense structures;
• consistency between declared and actual activities;
• internal processes aligned with regime requirements, including intellectual property management and development organization;
• ongoing interaction with the Secretariat for reporting, notifications, and consultations.

These features support the HTP’s reputation as a disciplined and predictable environment for investors.

Procedure for Making Changes to Resident Activities

Any changes affecting key elements of the project or corporate structure must be coordinated through the Secretariat, including:

• business plan adjustments or changes in activity directions;
• launch of new products or technologies not previously declared;
• changes in participant composition or share redistribution;
• appointment of a new executive;
• change of legal address or organizational structure.

The procedure includes preparation of documentation, Secretariat review, possible Supervisory Board consideration, and approval followed by issuance of updated confirmations.

Timely notification of changes is a mandatory requirement of the regime.

Compliance Control within the HTP

Control is an essential element of the HTP system and is aimed at ensuring compliance rather than applying pressure. It includes:

• verification of activity alignment with the declared business project;
• monitoring of activity types and comparison with approved lists;
• verification of data accuracy in submitted documents and reports;
• review of inquiries indicating possible non-compliance;
• initiation of clarifications or corrective actions if deviations occur.

In cases of systematic violations, the materials may be submitted to the Supervisory Board for consideration. However, the main focus of the regime is on preventive correction and support for residents’ activities.

Practical Recommendations for Companies Considering Admission

Preparation for admission to a high-tech park requires both formal compliance and a strategic approach. Companies that carry out preliminary assessments, properly structure business projects and establish communication with the Secretariat, achieve faster and more successful results.

How to Assess Whether Activities Fit the HTP Regime

The first step is to align actual activities with recognized high-technology directions by assessing:

• whether the product or service relates to software development, digital platforms, IT services, or related technological solutions;
• whether the project contains innovative or technological value elements;
• whether the business generates results primarily through IT activities;
• readiness to restructure processes if certain activities fall outside the regime.

Even mixed activities may be adapted by isolating the high-technology component into a separate project.

How to Prepare a Business Project for Submission

To ensure compliance and persuasiveness, the business project must:

• clearly describe the product or technology, purpose, architecture, and development specifics;
• justify uniqueness and competitive advantages;
• reflect implementation stages and development strategy;
• describe the team and competencies;
• include a sustainable financial model;
• demonstrate growth and scaling potential.

Practical completeness is valued more than abstract formulations.

When Legal Support Is Advisable

Legal support is particularly important when:

• the project is complex or includes multiple activity directions;
• foreign founders or complex corporate structures are involved;
• extensive documentation, translations, or technology descriptions are required;
• the business project needs adaptation to High-Tech Park requirements;
• scaling is planned and compliance risks must be minimized.

Professional consultants help to assess compliance with the regime, prepare projects, liaise with the Secretariat and reduce the risk of failure.

Conclusion

The Decree on the HTP established a unique legal regime that became the foundation of the Belarusian IT industry. It defines conditions, rules, and principles for resident operations, creates a predictable regulatory environment, and provides companies with opportunities for growth, international cooperation, and implementation of technological projects of various scales.

For businesses, it is essential not only to understand the regime rules, but also to prepare properly for admission, assess compliance, structure projects correctly, and establish effective interaction with the Secretariat. This enables efficient use of regime advantages and avoidance of development-limiting errors.

Our company is a resident of the HTP, combining in-depth understanding of internal processes with practical experience in interaction with its authorities. We support clients at all stages, from admission assessment to project and documentation preparation and ongoing compliance consulting.

In addition, we provide EOR services in Belarus, helping international companies with legal hiring, payroll organization, regulatory compliance and safe market entry.

If you consider HTP as a platform for development or plan to expand your team in Belarus, we are ready to become your reliable partner in this process.