RETAIL RESTRICTIVENESS ANALYSIS IN EASTERN EUROPE RETAIL RESTRICTIVENESS ANALYSIS IN EASTERN EUROPE | Page 16

of procedures and their short deadlines. By contrast, in Latvia the process takes only about 15 days, largely due to a small amount of procedures and short time-frames. Moldova is also distinguished by a time- efficient system of outlet establishment, as the procedures are submitted simultaneously through a one- stop system, which takes around two months. PUBLICATION OF DECISIONS The transparency of the procedure depends on the transparency of decision-making. Best practise is to disclose publicly both positive and negative decisions by the authorities, as it increases transparency and allows future applicants to assess the chances for a positive decision better. In half of the countries 37 (Poland, Lithuania 38 , Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia and Moldova), authorities are committed to publishing both positive and negative decisions. In Belarus, Spain and Germany no decisions are publicly available. Meanwhile, In Italy and Russia 39 , the competent authorities release decision on the establishment permission in case of a positive one only. 37 38 39 Commission staff working document “A European retail sector fit for the 21st century“ https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.23069/RopBrkScvw https://www.newkaliningrad.ru/realty/publications/12578014-po-zakonu-ne-obyazany-chto-ne-tak-s-publikatsiey-razresheniy-na-stroitelstvo.html 16