Resident companies at the Belarus Hi-Tech Park in Minsk will be expanding research and developing scientific branches beginning on Jan. 1. 

Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus, recently signed an amendment granting the changes. 

Companies at the park receive tax breaks if they are involved in the information technology field, including microelectronics, telecommunication, radio navigation and wireless communication; information protection; or the development of data processing centers. 

More than 100 businesses in the park currently specialize in software development, customization and IT-services — including IT consulting, audits, maintenance of national information networks, development of databases, and the application and operation of corporate information systems.

The Hi-Tech Park was started in 2005 to help support a growing information technology industry in the country. In addition to hosting businesses, the park includes an education center that trains workers for the IT industry.  Companies from 50 foreign nations benefit from the services provided by the businesses at the Hi-Tech Park.