On October 31, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko heard a report from Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The President was joined at the report by the head of government, his First Deputy Nikolai Snopkov, Chairman of the State Control Committee Vasily Gerasimov, and Chairperson of the National Statistical Committee Inna Medvedeva.
On the State of the Economy
"First of all, what is our economic situation? We observe (and this is true) a certain positive revival and growth of the economy as a whole in recent months and weeks. I am saying this specifically and emphasizing it so that our people understand that not everything is perfect. They sometimes criticise us, alleging that ministers, especially the Minister of Economy, embellish the situation. The Minister of Economy does not embellish anything; he talks about the economy as a whole. And most importantly, as Nikolai Gennadievich likes it, at the macro level. And this is correct. In order to build a strategy, we must see the macro level and pursue appropriate macroeconomic policies. Indeed, tactics cannot do without this either," noted Alexander Lukashenko.
At the same time, the President stressed, this does not mean that the authorities do not see problems in small, medium, and large enterprises. "They have always existed. Moreover, they exist now under these sanctions. But overall, the economy shows good results in certain areas," stated the head of state.
According to him, it was precisely to discuss the real economic situation that the composition of the participants in the report was expanded. Alexander Lukashenko recalled that he had set a task a long time ago: economic indicators should not decrease compared to last year's level. "At a minimum, it should be last year's level. And exceeding it would also be good," he emphasized.
On State Debt Repayment
While receiving the report from the Prime Minister, the President inquired about the situation with state debt repayment. The head of state paid particular attention to payments to unfriendly countries.
"My instruction was unambiguous: it must be fulfilled. We are reliable payers, we are ready to pay our debts, and we owe the West very little. But they refused to accept currency from Belarus. Fine, then we offered them the Belarusian ruble. They refused that too. Therefore, my instruction was that debts must be paid, but we are crediting these payments to separate accounts in Belarusian rubles. When they mature to the point where we can settle with them – so be it. If they don't mature – well, that's that," noted Alexander Lukashenko.
On Projects within the Military-Industrial Complex and the Nuclear Power Plant
One of the topics of the report was the implementation of projects within the State Military-Industrial Committee. Here, as the head of state noted, Belarus has very big plans. "I know that we have started implementing some projects. Separately, besides the military-industrial complex, I would like to hear information about the nuclear power plant and its operation," added Alexander Lukashenko.
On the Completion of the Harvest Campaign
The President called this issue the most important. Probably because it brooks no delay. "The weather has settled, we must immediately – immediately, Roman Alexandrovich – finish harvesting corn for grain. It rained, and the next day there was frost. The grain in the cobs got wet, then frost. What happens? The grain cracks and spoils. Therefore, we must urgently harvest corn for grain," demanded the head of state.
Alexander Lukashenko set clear deadlines: the harvest must be completed by November 7. He gave a few more days for sugar beet – it must be harvested from the fields by November 10.
On Joint Projects with Russia
The President recalled that Belarus and Russia are currently engaged in import substitution. Russia is allocating $1.5 billion to Belarus for the implementation of integration projects.
"It is beneficial for Russia and for us. Even more so for Russia than for us. That is why Russia is also financing them. How are things going here? – asked Alexander Lukashenko. – We will meet with Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin again in the near future and will finally sum up the results of this year. And, at the presidential level at least, we will plan our tasks for the coming year."
The Head of State inquired about the overall development of cooperation with Russia, the main market for Belarusian goods. "How are our agreements with the President of Russia, Putin, being fulfilled?" he clarified.
On Prices
"Don't forget about prices. I specifically invited Snopkov so that he doesn't forget that my requirement for price regulation and the development of a pricing system is not just some momentary instruction or wish. I tell him about it every day. And I would like to hear about it again. In the sense that, perhaps, you haven't foreseen everything, as is usually the case with government decrees. But if we have missed something somewhere, it needs to be corrected, added to," said Alexander Lukashenko.
The President reacted to some discussions that recently in Belarus "the so-called business has slumped." "I start to inquire what kind of business. Individual entrepreneurs, who have always given us problems," he noted. "To orient the whole country towards the wishes of such business is too much. But they shouldn't be offended either. If they bring some goods, sell them, and they are bought, it means they are in demand."
On the Work of Individual Entrepreneurs
The President also touched upon the work of individual entrepreneurs trading light industry goods. The Head of State emphasized that it is time for them to work transparently. He recalled that at one time he had instructed to develop approaches for organizing the work of this category.
"We have repeatedly addressed the issues of the work of these so-called individual entrepreneurs, who bring goods and do not even have invoices for these goods. And then we agreed that it is necessary to help individual entrepreneurs engaged in such trade to create wholesale supplies of products to Belarus. Directly to Belarus. So that they don't travel through the back alleys of Russia, Turkey, or China. They are sold this merchandise there without invoices. At unclear prices. And the certificates are not always normal," said Alexander Lukashenko.
He recommended that the First Deputy Prime Minister return to these assignments. "And God forbid they are not fulfilled! Therefore, there is no need to push anyone away. There is no need to offend them either. They need to be given the opportunity to work. To work transparently. And the time has come to work transparently and not hinder the light industry from working. Because they sometimes bring in goods of an unclear origin, sell them cheaply to our people. While our own light industry is constantly declining. This is what Lugina (Head of the Concern "Bellegprom" Tatyana Lugina. - BELTA note) recently said," the President stated.
"Therefore, we do not offend anyone, but we must work transparently. And prices must be under control. According to the government decree. And do not forget that after November 7, we will meet specifically on this issue. So that you are ready to report on what has been done, what the market situation is, and so on," the Belarusian leader warned.
Source: belta.by