HTP was created in 2005 for the purposes of development of software, IT and other technologies. HTP is situated in Minsk. Currently HTP has over 70 residents and attracts investors due to a special legal regime for its residents. The regime is established for a term of 15 years starting from the date of HTP creation.

Main HTP’s activities are the development of software, IT and other technologies, as well as their implementation into Belarusian industrial legal entities, and IT technologies and software export. HTP is governed by its Administration which is a state owned legal entity. 

In order to obtain the status of the resident of HTP legal entities must perform one or several of the following activities:

·     analysis, designing and providing of software for IT systems;

·     data processing activity;

·     researches, exploratory development in the sphere of natural and engineering sciences and realization of their results in practice;

·     other activities, defined by the Council of Ministers of Belarus or the President of Belarus.

When applying for the registration in HTP a legal entity must provide a business-plan. The template of the business-plan is approved by the Council of Ministers of Belarus.

The main benefits for HTP residents are exemption from:

·     profit tax and VAT;

·     land tax (within 3 years of construction on the territory of HTP);

·     real estate tax in regards to fixed assets and incomplete construction on the territory of HTP;

·     offshore duties (currently 15%) paid by resident of HTP to their shareholders;

·     customs duties and VAT in regards to goods imported by HTP residents for the purposes of their activity in HTP;

·     obligatory sale of foreign currency received from sale of goods, performing work and providing services, connected  with their activity in HTP.

Additional benefits relate to rent rates which are subject to 50% discount. Personal income tax for HTP resident’s employees is set at a rate of 9% (general rate is 12,5%). Income tax on profits generated by foreign legal entities (non-residents of Belarus), not acting through permanent establishment in Belarus, in regards to dividends, liabilities, royalty, licenses is 5% (against general rate of 10-15%), if the source of such profits is a resident of HTP.