The Augustow Canal - the pearl of the Grodno region
The Augustów Canal is one of the outstanding objects of the hydraulic architecture of the first half of the 19th century, which connects the Vistula River with the Neman. Its length is 102.8 km. Now the Augustow Canal is a great place in Belarus for recreation, attracting tourists from all over the world not only by its nature and beauty, but also by the unique hydraulic engine. The channel is a perfect place in Belarus for those who prefer active recreation.
In order to create favorable conditions for the implementation of investment projects, the development of the tourism industry and infrastructure, a special tourist and recreation park Augustow Canal was created by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 220 dated May 26, 2011. The Park includes the territory of the Grodno district and the city of Grodno, adjacent to the Belarusian part of the Avgustov Canal and the r. Neman, as well as individual sectors of the village of Svyatsk, the village of Radzivilki, and the settlement of Sopotskin.
Since 2011, there has been a steady growth in tourist flows both in park Augustow Canal and in the region as a whole. The increase in the entry flow was facilitated by the introduction in October 2016 of a visa-free procedure for the entry and exit of foreign citizens. From January 1, 2018, the period of stay without a visa is increased to 10 days, the territory of the visa-free regime (Grodno region) and air and railway check points are included. Since the beginning of the visa-free regime, park Augustow Canal and the Grodno region have been visited by 156,059 people, in the first two months of 2019 the number of tourists was 12,156, which is 2.4 times more compared to the same period last year.
With the increased demand for inbound tourism there is a need to create objects of tourism industry and infrastructure. Investment projects can be focused on the creation of tourist centers, accommodation facilities, food and trade, which will increase the duration of stay of tourists in park Augustow Canal.
In order to create favorable conditions for the implementation of investment projects of a tourist orientation within the Park, special conditions and zones have been created for the development of various types of tourism (ecological, health, business, sports, educational, water, sightseeing and cycling).
Residents of the special tourist and recreational park Augustow Canal are exempted from:
- income tax within five years from the date of declaration of profit (in subsequent years, 50% of the rate established by law);
- real estate tax on buildings and structures located in the Park;
- VAT from turnover on the sale of goods (works, services) of own production;
- fees for the right to enter into a lease agreement for a land plot located within the Park;
- compensation of losses of agricultural and (or) forestry production, caused by land acquisition for the implementation of an investment project;
The rent for newly granted land plots is determined using a reduction factor of 0.0025 and ranges from $ 3 to $ 18 per hectare.
The tax burden on tourism and other services provided to residents of the park is reduced by more than 70%, thus minimizing costs and reducing the payback period of projects.
Detailed information about the conditions of activity in the special tourist and recreational park Augustow Canal, free areas, as well as benefits and preferences can be found on our website in the section “Augustow Canal” or from the specialists of the foreign economic activity department by phone +375 (152) 41- 23-17 and e-mail invest@grodnoinvest.by.