The potash industry of Belarus will develop exclusively in the interests of the state and the people - A. Lukashenko
18/07/20120 views
On July 18, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. Belarus does not intend to sell a controlling stake in OJSC "Belaruskali", and the development of the country's potash industry will be carried out exclusively in the interests of the state and the Belarusian people. This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on July 17 during his visit to the Berezovsky mine of OJSC "Belaruskali" in the Soligorsk district, BelTA was informed by the press service of the head of state.
"I did not intend and do not intend to sell "Belaruskali" to someone for a pittance. If someone wants to - pay money, the price has been named, no one will reduce it," Alexander Lukashenko said. At the same time, he stressed that it is about the possibility of selling only certain shares, but not a controlling stake.
As the President noted, recently there have been many opinions about the privatization of "Belaruskali". "I considered and still consider it to be the pearl of Belarus, which belongs to the Belarusian people. Now there is a lot of talk and even pressure, and the pressure comes from different sides, even from those states on which we are very dependent. And it is difficult to resist this pressure," the President said.
Alexander Lukashenko recalled that he had previously instructed to conduct an assessment of the enterprise, and the price was $30-32 billion. "No lower. If you want - please, we will sell you not a controlling stake, so as not to lose control. Let's take 10%, 20%, 25%, but pay," the head of state noted. - 25% is $8.5-9 billion. Whoever wants to, come and pay. There were no such buyers. Everyone wants to buy the whole plant for $8 billion. I say: goodbye, there are no such prices. This is my principled position. I have no reason to rush to sell "Belaruskali".
As for the unwillingness to sell a controlling stake, Alexander Lukashenko clarified: "This is not because I am afraid of losing control, power, as some write. It's not about that: I didn't build it, I didn't create it - a whole generation invested their labor in it, and no one will sell it for a pittance. This is my firm word, spoken publicly."
During a working trip, Alexander Lukashenko familiarised himself with the development plans for Belarus's potash industry, the results of potash fertilizer exports in 2011, and export deliveries for the current year. Among other things, some problematic issues in relations with Russian partners were discussed. The President did not rule out that relations with the Russian shareholder of the Belarusian Potash Company might be reviewed. "All issues concerning the BPC must be resolved one way or another by September 1. There should be no more fuss around this, even if we have to review our relations with the Russians. Let's get to the bottom of this thoroughly. We need complete clarity," the head of state instructed.
"If they want to work separately, let them work. The BPC must be preserved in any case. Because the potash company should be involved not only in selling potash fertilizers but also complex, mixed fertilizers," the President believes.
As Alexander Lukashenko emphasised, the Belarusian Potash Company is a brand, and it is unlikely that anyone can give it up today. "Either they (the Russian partner) work together, or they go their own way," said Alexander Lukashenko. "But they won't do that. They don't need this split. Therefore, we must proceed honestly."
"So, by September 1, all issues must be resolved. I will discuss this with the Prime Minister of Russia," the President added.
As reported to the head of state, as of January 1, 2012, the production capacities of OJSC "Belaruskali" for potash fertilizers amounted to 10.3 million tonnes per year, which is 1.5 million tonnes more than on January 1 of the previous year. The development of the Krasnoslobodsky mine's capacities and the commissioning of the Berezovsky mine will allow the enterprise to increase its production capacity to 11 million tonnes of mineral fertilizers in 2013.
In the future, production capacities will also be increased by constructing a new mining and processing complex with a capacity of at least 1.5 million tonnes of potassium chloride per year based on the Petrikovskoye potash salt deposit. The General Director of OJSC "Belaruskali", Valery Kiriyenko, reported that the implementation of this investment project has begun, a business plan and feasibility study are being developed, and reserves at the deposit are being assessed according to international standards. Subsequently, it is planned to announce a tender for the selection of a co-investor for the project, whose contribution should be 50% of the cost. The other half will be contributed by "Belaruskali".At the same time, during the discussion of this issue, Alexander Lukashenko noted that if "Belaruskali" can implement the project solely at its own expense, then there is no point in inviting an external investor and giving him half of the future enterprise. As was noted, this can be done through credit resources. "That's the point. Because the co-investor who comes will not take his money out of his pocket. He will also take a loan, and it will be the same burden. So it is better for this deposit to remain in state hands," the President said.
Overall, considering the implementation of all projects in the potash industry starting from 2020, the production volume of potash fertilizers in Belarus may reach more than 15 million tons per year.
Alexander Lukashenko carried out the symbolic commissioning of the Berezovsky mine of OJSC "Belaruskali" and communicated with the enterprise's work collective.
The workers asked to build more schools and kindergartens in the new microdistricts of Soligorsk, to improve the territory near the Soligorsk Reservoir, and inquired about the head of state's expectations from Belarusian Olympians.
"We set a benchmark for ourselves: 25 medals – heroes. But recently, the athletes say: 25 medals is difficult. Okay, let's say 20, but with 5 gold medals. They also say it's difficult. But everyone is talking about 25 medals – I agree," the President noted.
On the same day, Alexander Lukashenko visited the Republican Speleotherapy Hospital. This institution, along with traditional methods, has been providing specialized course treatment for patients with respiratory diseases using speleotherapy for 22 years. Patients undergo treatment in a speleotherapy ward located at a depth of 420 m in a rock salt deposit and a potash-bearing layer at the base of the potash mine of the first mine administration of OJSC "Belaruskali". After reconstruction, the ward can accommodate up to 120 patients. It always has a stable microclimate, optimal aerosol, gas, and ionic composition of air, which is the leading therapeutic factor. In addition to the underground department, the hospital has an above-ground building.
Descending into the underground department, the President inspected the wards where patients undergo treatment both during the day and at night. Sports halls with facilities for volleyball and tennis are also located here.
The head of state expressed the opinion that the number of speleotherapy places could be significantly increased. "It is possible to increase density here. There are opportunities for this. For example, bunk beds can be installed for children," the President believes."We need to make the most of the existing facilities. Approach the solution of this issue in a businesslike manner, – the Head of State set the task. – It's not just that everything is not thought through to the end, nobody has dealt with it at all. This must be corrected immediately! We haven't developed this properly." Alexander Lukashenko noted that the premises were built solidly but are not fully utilized. In his opinion, a larger number of children could undergo rehabilitation here, especially since the premises of the underground clinic allow for this.
"By September 1, everything here must be perfect," – the Head of State emphasized.
Over the entire period of the hospital's operation, more than 32 thousand people from Belarus, as well as Kazakhstan, the Baltic states, Russia, Ukraine, and other countries have received treatment here. Annually, the hospital admits about 2 thousand patients, 20% of whom are children aged 10-17. After reconstruction, the hospital can admit about 4 thousand patients per year.
Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that the hospital's services are in demand not only among Belarusians but also among residents of foreign countries. The President believes that there are opportunities here to increase the export of medical services and instructed to carefully study this issue. -0-
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