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Arms trader BelTechExport insists that it complies with all export control regulations

 

Arms trader BelTechExport insisted on Monday that it complied with all international and domestic export control regulations.

Earlier this month, the United States ended its sanctions against the private company. The sanctions were imposed in May 2011 because of "credible" information indicating that the company had "transferred to or acquired from Iran, North Korea, or Syria equipment and technology listed on multilateral export control lists or otherwise having the potential to make a material contribution to weapons of mass destruction or cruise or ballistic missile systems."

According to BelTechExport, shortly after the sanctions were introduced the company began "active efforts" to defend its reputation and disprove the accusations, hiring foreign law firms and other companies. Audit giant KPMG was given "nearly full access" to the company's documentation and confirmed its compliance with domestic and foreign laws, BelTechExport said.

On June 1, 2012, BelTechExport sent all documents and experts' conclusions proving its case to the US Department of State. The latter studied the documents before inviting the company's representatives to a meeting. In April this year, BelTechExport executives held a meeting with the Department's officials in charge of non-proliferation activities, promising that the company would continue complying with international and domestic export control regulations and would be annually audited by KPMG.

The sanctions, which were to be effective for two years, meant that US government agencies were banned from buying any goods, services or technologies from the companies or providing any assistance to them.

In 2011, BelTechExport was banned from doing business in the European Union because it was controlled by Belarusian businessman Uladzimir Peftsiyew, who is described by the bloc as Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s "chief economic advisor and key financial sponsor."

In 2012, the arms trader announced that it was no longer controlled by Mr. Peftsiyew.  // BelaPAN