Law blocks Estonia from listing Russia and Belarus traders

Estonia’s current law prevents the state from publishing a list of companies doing business with Russia and Belarus, Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo said, ERR reported.

“The law currently in force specifically does not allow such companies to be disclosed. The law would have to be amended for that,” Keldo told ERR.

According to Keldo, the restriction stems from the Taxation Act because the information concerns company data. Annual reports are public, he said, allowing people to determine what services companies provide, which countries they supply with goods and whom they work with. However, the state cannot currently publish such information itself, he added.

Keldo could not say whether a database compiled and published by a private individual would comply with the law. “Data protection experts would have to say,” he said.

The government has not discussed whether the law should be amended to allow such lists to be published. Keldo said the issue would have to be examined with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, employers and companies to assess whether there was unequal treatment among Estonian businesses.

“Today I certainly cannot say that we will do it, but neither can I say that we will not,” Keldo said. He added that the advantages and disadvantages of such a list needed to be assessed, including what information it would contain and whether it would include only company names or also beneficial owners, shareholders and other individuals.

“There are issues involving personal data and data protection, as well as questions about whether this method is effective and what we want to achieve with it,” Keldo said.

Keldo said he would first support a complete ban across the European Union on imports of goods from Russia or Belarus. Public disclosure and public shame or condemnation would put greater pressure on companies, he said, but most businesses wanted equal market conditions and competition.

Latvia’s Central Statistical Bureau is to begin publishing a monthly list of companies exporting goods to Russia and Belarus or importing goods from those countries, Latvia’s public broadcaster LSM reported. The list is based on amendments to a law supporting Ukrainian civilians adopted by Latvia’s parliament.

The list will not identify companies violating international sanctions. It will include companies continuing to operate in sectors not covered by sanctions.