On 7 December 2009, the President signed the Edict No. 592 which amends the simplified tax system. According to the Edict, the tax rate for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities applying the simplified tax system and exporting Belarusian goods is reduced by 50 percentage points to 3%. The rate applies in respect of revenue obtained from export of such goods. Further, the number of persons, who may be employed by retail and catering businesses applying the simplified tax system, is increased from 5 to 15.