Accountant error, misuse of budget loans are proposed to be decriminalized in KazakhstanKazakhstan is planning to completely decriminalize minor and unintentional accountant errors and misuse of budget loans; the relevant amendments were discussed at a round table in the Majilis on Friday.The Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM) gave its opinion on the decriminalizing amendments proposed by deputies that affect the interests of business.“Based on practice, I will say that a minor mistake by an accountant can turn into a long and grueling investigation for a conscientious entrepreneur. Therefore, we see it advisable to transfer it to the category of administrative liability,” AFM Chairman Zhenis Yelemesov, said speaking about the proposed decriminalizing amendments to Article 241 of Criminal Code (Violating legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on accounting and financial reporting).Regarding the amendments to criminal article 219 (Illegal receipt of a loan or misuse of a budget loan), the deputy head of the AFM noted that the intended purpose of the loan is checked by authorized bodies, which resolve all disputes in the courts and return the money to the state.Businessmen who decide to deceive will be prosecuted under article “Fraud.”Also, the deputy head of the AFM informed that it is proposed to partially decriminalize two articles of the Criminal Code - 234 Economic smuggling and 236 Evasion of customs duties, customs duties, taxes, special, anti-dumping, countervailing duties. Thresholds for criminal liability are proposed for these offenses.“We decided to support small and medium-sized businesses. As you know, most entrepreneurs are engaged in trade. This, we believe, will give impetus to business development,” concluded Yelemesov.The deputy head of the AFM noted that when developing the bill, the recommendations of the FATF (Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering) were taken into account and confiscation of property is provided for at the discretion of the court. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX